THE BIG TREES OF MICHIGAN 31. Acer saccharinum L. Silver Maple

摘要

The new state champion Silver Maple is also the new national champion. It is located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in Luce County, NE of Newberry, MI, at McPhee's Landing on the Tahquamenon River in section 22 of T 46 N, R 9 W. Description of the Species: The Silver Maple is a member of the family Ac-eraceae. There are at least eight species of maples in Michigan. The Silver Maple leaf is quite distinctive. It has three main lobes with narrow sinuses between them (See Fig. 1). The terminal lobe is more than one-half the length of the entire leaf blade. The sinuses between the lobes are acute at the base, forming a distinct angle. The lobes are frequently toothed all the way to the base of each (Voss, 1985). The under surface is usually a silvery green and the upper surface is a darker green. Fall leaf color is usually bright orange-red, becoming yellow later in the season.