Acer pseudoplatanus
Authors: Karan Rawlins, Hillery Reeves and Kaylee Tillery at the Center for Invasive Species & Ecosystem Health, University of Georgia
Contents |
|
Overview
- Appearance
- Acer pseudoplatanus is a tall tree that can reach 100 ft. (30 m) or more in height. The bark of the tree has irregular coarse scales that often flake off revealing the orange inner bark. The palmately veined leaves have a leathery texture, unlike most maples, and are dark green above and lighter green and pubescent on the major veins below.
- Foliage
- The palmate dark green or reddish green leaves have 5 lobes. The two basal lobes are reduced compared to the three middle lobes. The leaf margins are coarsely toothed, but do not have sharp tips. The leaves are 3-6 in. (7.5-15 cm) wide and are cordate at their base. Leaves turn yellow in the fall.
- Flowers
- The yellow to green flowers appear in April and May at the same time as the leaves. Flowers are in pendulous racemes 2-6 in. (6-15 cm) long. The individual flowers are small, measuring 0.2 in. (4-5 mm) across.
- Fruit
- The fruits are paired samaras that measure about 1-1.5 in. (3-4 cm) long. The wings of the fruit are at angles of 60-90 degrees. The seeds mature from late summer through early fall and are primarily wind-dispersed.
- Ecological Threat
- Acer pseudoplatanus is native to Europe and western Asia. It is capable of producing large numbers of seedlings, giving rise to dense tree stands with the potential for crowding out native tree species.
Reproduction
Acer pseudoplatanus has paired samaras that are wind dispersed and can produce large stands of seedlings. These can grow into dense stands that crowd or shade out native species.
Range
Acer pseudoplatanus is native to Europe and western Asia. In the U.S. it is found from Maine to Michigan and south from Kentucky to North Carolina. In New England it is most numerous along the coast, particularly on Cape Cod, coastal Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut. So far, it is an uncommon escapee to the inland.
Management/Monitoring
Mechanical Control
- Pulling, cutting small populations of plants, treat re-sprouts with herbicides.
Chemical Control
- Use herbicides for large populations or in conjunction with mechanical techniques
Biocontrol
- No biocontrol information available.
Resources
USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Staff, Newtown Square, PA Weed of the Week [1]
Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation [2]
University of Connecticutt Database of Trees, Shrubs and Vines [3]
NOBANIS - Invasive Alien Species Fact Sheet [4]
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States [5]
CABI Invasive Species Compendium [6]
University of Florida IFAS Extension [7]
Invasive Plant Atlas of New England [8]
USDA NRCS PLANTS [9]
USDA ARS GRIN [10]
Wildscreen Arkive [11]
Images from Bugwood.org
