Uses
Edible uses
Notes
A sugar is obtained from the sap. The sap can be used as a drink or boiled down to make maple syrup[1]. The syrup is used as a sweetener on many foods. The sap can be harvested in late winter, the flow is best on a warm sunny day after a frost. Trees on southern slopes in sandy soils give the best yields. The best sap production comes from cold-winter areas with continental climates.
Sap
Unknown part
Material uses
The leaves are packed around apples, rootcrops etc to help preserve them[2][3].
The bark contains tannins, but the report does not say in what quantity[4]. The trees have an extensive root system that can be used to bind the soil. They are often grown on banks in order to prevent soil erosion[5].
The wood is close-grained, soft and light, weighing 33lb per cubic foot[6][7].Unknown part
Medicinal uses(Warning!)
The North American Indians made an infusion of the pith of young twigs and used this as eye drops to soothe irritation caused by campfire smoke[5][8]. The pith itself was used to remove foreign matter from the eyes[8]. An infusion or poultice made from the outer bark has been used to treat sore eyes[8].
A poultice made from boiled root chips has been applied externally to wounds and abscesses[8].
A compound infusion of the roots and bark is used to treat internal haemorrhage[8].Unknown part
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Earth stabiliser
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, it usually germinates in the following spring. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours and then stratify for 2 - 4 months at 1 - 8°c. It can be slow to germinate. The seed can be harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it has dried and produced any germination inhibitors) and sown immediately. It should germinate in late winter. If the seed is harvested too soon it will produce very weak plants or no plants at all[9][10]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until they are 20cm or more tall before planting them out in their permanent positions.
Layering, which takes about 12 months, is successful with most species in this genus. Plants often self-layer in the wild[5].
Cuttings of young shoots in June or July. The cuttings should have 2 - 3 pairs of leaves, plus one pair of buds at the base. Remove a very thin slice of bark at the base of the cutting, rooting is improved if a rooting hormone is used. The rooted cuttings must show new growth during the summer before being potted up otherwise they are unlikely to survive the winter. Strong plants are usually produced by this method.Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Acer spicatum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
Of easy cultivation, it prefers a sunny position and a good moist well-drained soil but succeeds on most soils, especially those on the acid side, and dislikes alkaline soils[11]. Grows well in heavy clay soils.
Plants are hardy to about -35°c when fully dormant. The lower branches of trees often self-layer, the trees then forming an impenetrable thicket[5].
Most maples are bad companion plants, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants[2][3].Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Acer spicatum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Acer spicatum.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
Taxonomy
Binomial name
Acer spicatum
Genus
Acer
Family
Aceraceae
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Environment
Hardiness Zone
2
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Environmental Tolerances
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
References
- ? 1.01.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
- ? 2.02.12.2 Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (1979-00-00)
- ? 3.03.13.2 Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
- ? 4.04.1 Rottsieper. E.H.W. Vegetable Tannins The Forestal Land, Timber and Railways Co. Ltd. (1946-00-00)
- ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. ISBN 0889025649 (1989-00-00)
- ? 6.06.1 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
- ? 7.07.1 Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. ISBN 0-486-22642-5 (1970-00-00)
- ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.5 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
- ? McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books ISBN 0-901361-21-6 (1985-00-00)
- ? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
- ? Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
-
? Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedPFAFimport-200 - ? Livingstone. B. Flora of Canada National Museums of Canada ISBN 0-660-00025-3 (1978-00-00)
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