Sugar Maple Other common names: Hard Maple, Rock Maple Scientific name: Acer saccharum Conservation status: “Not Extinct” is of low concern as an overall species. Photos of different parts of the plant:
Distribution on HSC campus: Willow Landing (43.239148 N-79.897651 W) Big Toy (43.238294 N,-79.89377W)
Characteristics that make them easy to be identified: Green/yellow leaves, 5 lobes on the leaves, in fall leaves turn bright orange/red, as the tree ages the bark splits and curls, small acorn-like flower buds, and the seeds are located in keys.
Include here information about the ecological importance of the species. The Sugar Maple’s leaves, seeds, buds/flowers, bark, and twigs provide nutrients/nutrition to living things in it’s environment. Deer, moose, and snowshoe hares feed off of the tree during the winter. In the spring, summer, and early fall, hibernating animals will gather resources. Many native birds tend to nest in the Sugar Maple.
Include here information about importance for humans and/or the indigenous perspective
In the Indigenous culture, the making and preparing of maple syrup and maple sugar was an important social event. Each year, families and friends would gathertogether, spending time making maple syrup and maple sugar. Maple sugar was used as a sweetener for food, drinks, and medicine. The bark of the Sugar Maple were also used to make tea, and to eat. Sugar Maples In North America: Some distinct features to recognise a Sugar Maple: Green/yellow leaves, 5 lobes on the leaves, in fall leaves turn bright orange/red.