Sugar
Maple is
a favorite shade tree with reliable fall color, found in the forests and
meadows throughout all of Ohio , but
flourishing in the cooler climates and more acidic soils of northeastern Ohio and Appalachia . It
is valued for its hard, dense, fine-grained and difficult-to-split wood, which
is utilized for floors, furniture, veneer, musical instruments, and railroad
ties.
The hardness of the
wood gives it the alternative common name of Rock Maple. Native Americans
invented the process of maple sap collection and its distillation into maple
sugar and maple syrup. A native of southern Planting Requirements - Sugar Maple thrives when it is planted or transplanted into rich, moderately deep soils having even moisture coupled with good drainage. While it prefers acidic soils, it adapts readily to those of neutral or alkaline pH. Clay soils cause it to struggle more in terms of root penetration to tap into deep soil moisture in times of drought.
The key to the preservation of established Sugar Maples is to not disturb the roots by extensive digging, or compact the soil above them with heavy equipment or vehicles, or a serious decline in tree health will likely occur. Sugar Maple adapts to shady conditions in its youth, but must eventually grow in full sun to partial sun, and is found in zones 4 to 8.
Potential Problems - Sugar Maple does not perform nearly as well in the southern limits of its range (zones 7 and 8), where the heat, humidity, and drought of summer take their toll. More commonly, encroachment of construction traffic and the associated soil compaction, soil grade change, root disturbance, and various pollutions associated with housing construction and subsequent urban conditions do not favor established Sugar Maples, and they often respond with a rapid decline or death when their forest is converted into a subdivision. Sugar Maple also does not like being transplanted into heavy clay soils or to long periods of drought in summer. Verticillium wilt is an occasional disease primarily occurring in wet springs, and leaf scorch is a perennial problem when drought occurs.
The Sugar Maple is one of 10 tree seedlings which will be offered, along with peach, plum and raspberry plants. Call 740-489-5276 for an order blank.
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