Maples can reach these sizes because many live up to 300 years, with some living much longer.
Their biggest threats are humans and pests.
The Asian long-horned beetle has threatened maple trees across Canada and the northern United States, killing thousands of trees.
Fungal diseases are also of concern but are easier to resolve with proper care of the infected trees.
But maples are not just a pretty shade tree.
They’re also the source of maple syrup—one of the sweetest and most popular syrups on the planet.
This is made by collecting the runny sap from sugar maples (Acer saccharum) then boiling it down to a rich and tasty treat.
It can take up to 40 litres (42 quarts) of sap to make just a single litre (1.1 quarts) of syrup!
They’re also a major source of pollen in early spring, often jumpstarting the process of waking beehives from hibernation and providing them with an ample food source while more delicate plants and flowers wake up around the hives.
Maple is even a popular wood used for musical instruments due to its ability to carry sound well.
Drums, woodwinds, string instruments, and even rock-and-roll guitars can all feature maple wood bodies or trim elements!
Finally, maples are one of the most obvious parts of the fall colour change you might be seeing as we head toward Fall and Winter in the northern hemisphere.
While all deciduous trees will lose their leaves as the weather cools each season, maples do so with a stunning display of reds, yellows, and oranges before they fall and pile up for you to jump in!
The beauty of maple trees in the fall contributes to tourism around the world with people flocking to see the stunning displays as temperatures begin to wind down.
So the next time you’re enjoying the outdoors, keep an eye out for the majestic maple, and take a moment to appreciate everything these beautiful trees do for our Wowzerful world!
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