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| Leaf Photo by: Steven J. Baskauf |
Bark Photo by: Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service |
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| Fruit Photo by: Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service |
Tree Photo by: Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service |
The green stripes on young bark of striped maple allow it to photosynthesize better in the shade, even before the leaves appear in spring.
Striped maple grows in Central Ontario, from Toronto east to Ottawa and north to Sault Ste. Marie, as well as the Bruce Peninsula and Manitoulin Island.
This small understory tree is distinct because of its green and white striped bark. It has large, wide leaves with only 3 main lobes. Leaves turn yellow in the fall.
The flowers and winged seeds hang in long clusters, maturing in the fall.
The striped maple is a useful understory species when mature trees provide shade and cool soils below. It is naturally found in damp woods, ravines and on north-facing slopes in more southern climates.
Size: Up to 10 m tall
Moisture: Prefers evenly moist soils
Shade: Prefers full to partial shade, dislikes hot summer sun
Soil: Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soils
Planting Tip: Striped maple is also called moosewood because moose and deer love to eat the twigs in winter. Unless you are planting to provide browse for wildlife, protect young striped maple trees with deer netting or burlap until they are tall enough to escape large mammals. More tips...
