Sugar maple is the State Tree of Wisconsin. Acer saccharum is the scientific name of Sugar maple and it is commonly known as silver maple, creek maple, silver leaf maple, soft maple, large maple, water maple, swamp maple, or white maple. Occasionally it is called hard maple or rock maple Acer is the genus of the Sugar maple and A. saccharum is its species.
The Wisconsin’s State tree Sugar maple is belongs from the family of Aceraceae, which are native to the hardwood forests of northeastern North America, ranging from Nova Scotia west through Quebec and southern Ontario to south eastern Manitoba around Lake of the Woods and across the border from Minnesota south to Georgia and Texas. It is also grown in moderate region of southern hemisphere (Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela, the southern states of Brazil) and thrives in the Mediterranean atmosphere.
The Sugar maple is one of the most widespread trees in the United States. For selecting of the state tree of Wisconsin, the authority arranged a vote among the School children in 1893 and another vote arranged by the Youth Centennial Committee in 1948 that was also among the school children. The Sugar Maple tree wins the both of election defeating Oak, pine, elm, white pine and birch. The advocates of white pine gave their full efforts to make it as the state tree emblem but the state Legislators designated the Sugar Maple tree as the official state tree of Wisconsin on June 4, 1949. It is not only the State tree of Wisconsin but it is also State tree of New York, Vermont, and West Virginia.
Facts about Wisconsin’s State Tree (Sugar maple)
- Common name: silver maple, creek maple, silver leaf maple, soft maple, large maple, water maple, swamp maple, or white maple.
- Genus: Acer
- Species: Acer saccharum
- Found in: Indigenous to the hardwood forests of northeastern North America, ranging from Nova Scotia west through Quebec and southern Ontario to south eastern Manitoba around Lake of the Woods and across the border from Minnesota south to Georgia and Texas
- Flower: The small flower of the Sugar Maple produce in clusters, long stem with leaves those are Yellow to green in color.
- Bark: The bark of the Sugar maple trees is rather capricious. The juvenile plants bark are normally grayish brown in color, which will ultimately develop to ribbed and wrinkled, with long, thick asymmetrical curling outward edges.
- Leaf: The leaves of the Sugar Maple are deciduous, up to 20 cm long and similarly wide, with five palmate lobes. The basal lobes are relatively small, while the upper lobes are larger and deeply notched. Contrary, plain and palmate patterned, 3 to 6 inches long, 5 lobed with entire margin; green above, paler below.
- Fruits: The fruits of the Sugar Maple are horseshoe-shaped samaras, which have two-wing and , the wings are 2–3 cm inch long, appearing in clusters. The matured samaras are brown in autumn.
- Purpose: ornamental.
- Symbolism: Love, Longevity, Money, Success and Abundance.
The Wisconsin’s State tree the Sugar maple, under the most favorable growing conditions, sugar maple can reach to the heights in excess of 100 feet. The largest individual that has been reported was found near Bethany, Wisconsin. It had a diameter of 5.6 feet, a crown spread of 75 feet, and a height of 110 feet. Nearly all mature trees, however, range from 70 to 90 feet in height and have diameters at breast height (4.5 feet above the ground) usually measuring from 2 to 3 feet.
Trees that grow in open space have trunks that branch near the ground, forming crowns that spread 60 to 80 feet. On the contrary, the ones found in shaded forest conditions normally develop clear, straight boles and narrow crowns. From the economical perspective, the sugar maple is one of the most precious hardwoods for its typical heaviness, strong and gorgeousness. Mostly it has been used for good looking furniture, cabinet and interior decoration. It is also generates juice (Sap), which have been used for making edible maple syrup.
The Wisconsin’s State tree the Sugar maple has many of medicinal properties. The sugar maple leaf contains sedative and tonic’s elements. It is an exceptional remedy for the liver as well the spleen. It does not only treat these organs but it will bring about a tranquil nature to them as well. In the case of irritation, feeling the blues, or just nonchalant, maple leaf medicinal herb is very much effective to new feeling to the entire organism. It is also very good remedy for nervous conditions.
To sum up, Sugar Maple is the people’s favorite State Tree of Wisconsin, which symbolized Love, Longevity, Money, Success and Abundance. Although it is an official State tree symbol of Wisconsin, it outstandingly represents and glorifies the spirit of Wisconsin culture.
Ref:
https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol/wisconsin/tree/sugar-maple
http://www.ereferencedesk.com/resources/state-tree/wisconsin.html