Trees of Dickinson County: Silver Maple
In the east half of the state, sugar maples reign supreme. Who doesn't like maple syrup?
However, the silver maple (Acer saccharinum) is still a wonderful tree found in Dickinson County. They have actually been hybridized with red maples for a pretty, fast-growing tree (Acer freemanii).
Size
Silver maples grow 75-100 feet tall. It is a fast-growing tree, growing up to 24 inches each year.
Habitat
Maples like wet-mesic soil and part-shade to full sun.
Leaves
Silver maple leaves are simple, with each leaf growing on its own stalk opposite another. They have five deep lobes, and those lobes have toothed edges. The underside of each leaf is very pale or whitened.
Maple is the lone standout in northwest Iowa with red leaves in the fall, adding some color variety to the landscape.
Seeds
Maples are known for winged seeds called samaras that grow about 1.5-2.5 inches long. Squirrels, birds and other small animals enjoy eating the seeds that have different nicknames, including helicopters, whirligigs, polynoses and spinning jennies.
Fall leaf color guide
Fall is a beautiful time to take a drive to look at all of the beautiful trees changing color. Leaves begin to change color because of the lack of chlorophyll that is present in the spring and summer, revealing the other colors in the leaves that is present beneath the green. The colors present in Read More »
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Identifying the leaves of trees native to northwest Iowa
Fall is the time of year to look at leaves. We pick them up and marvel at colors. We rake them up in the yard. We jump in the piles and toss them in the air. But what kind of leaf are you looking at? We have put together a list of different kinds of Read More »
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