Field Maple
•Bark is grey-brown but orange-brown when
exposed
• Leaves turn a deep golden-red in Autumn
• Deep green leaves have 5 lobes
Due to its tolerance of pollution and rich
colours it is a common tree in many
gardens and parks.
•
Many plant
destroying insects
feed on the Field
Maple and
therefore the
ladybirds,
hoverflies and
birds that eat
these insects are
often found on
the tree. The
fruits of the tree
are also popular
with small
mammals.
Picture: theflagstore.ca
Picture: bbc.co.uk
The leaves are small, dark green and shiny
with five sections and sharp teeth along the
edge. The leaves are most commonly
recognised as the leaf on the Canadian Flag.
A
traditional
use for the
timber is to
make
musical
instruments
especially
harps.
Picture: wikipedia
Mature Maple trees can grow to
20m and live for up to 350 years.
In the UK the girth of the largest
Maple tree was recorded at
5.34cm.
As with all Maples, the Field
Maple’s sap can be used to make
maple syrup. The tree trunk is
tapped in the early Spring, the sap
flowing better on warm sunny
days following a frost.
Picture: foodforthought.net
The bark of the field
maple is astringent,
meaning that it binds
together fast stopping
blood loss.