Black Maple-Acer nigrum
Something to Ponder:
The Black Maple is closely related to the Sugar Maple and carries with it the characteristics of that tree. It is a large shade tree that turns a vibrant color in the fall. The seeds are winged and fall in droves in autumn. For commercial purposes, the Black Maple is virtually indistinguishable from the Sugar Maple. Both are tapped for syrup, the hard wood is excellent for making furniture, and both trees live a long life. The only difference that is easily seen is that the Black Maple leaves droop slightly compared to its close relative.
Despite those similarities, the Sugar Maple is by far the most popular maple tree. For landscapers, city planners, and your typical homeowner the Sugar Maple always seems to get the nod for planting.
Life is a bit like that isn’t it? For no apparent reason, one person gets the job offer over another; one child makes the team while another is cut; one family member gets a cancer diagnosis while another lives a long healthy life. It seems random, unreasonable, even unfair. Why is one chosen over the other?
The Bible has a response: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Choosing a Sugar Maple instead of a Black Maple tree to plant in your yard is surely not a big deal. But how do we respond to the perceived slights every life must face? Do we trust that our God has got this?
Learn more:
Black Maple-Acer nigrum can grow up to 110' tall and produces “helicopter” winged seed pods and can be identified by its 3-lobed droopy leaves. Black Maple is considered a subspecies of Sugar Maple. It displays similar characteristics of a dense, rounded crown; dark, furrowed bark and brilliant fall color. It is a commonly planted tree in this region. Avoid pruning Black Maple in early spring as Maples are ‘bleeders’ and will lose large amounts of sap. Susceptible to leaf scorch, verticillium wilt, maple tar spot and anthracnose. Pests include borers and cottony maple scale. Black Maples suffer from salt, drought and air pollution but are tolerant of black walnut toxicity. The lumber is used for timber and landscaping, and the sap can be tapped for maple sugar to make maple syrup and candies. The Black Maple, Black Sugar Maple, Hard Maple and Rock Maple are closely related to the Sugar Maple. It grows in moist soils of river bottoms and mixed hard forests. Northview taps this very tree every spring for the Northview Preschool program. Important species are used for sawtimber, veneer, fuel wood, and maple syrup.