When young, its bark is gray and smooth, but as it ages, it becomes furrowed with long scaly strips that peel and curl at the ends. It grows well in wet to moist soils, frequently in pure stands in floodplains. Silver maple is one of the most commonly seen native maple trees in Michigan. These leaves turn yellow to orange in the fall and that makes this tree a delight to the eyes. The leaves are divided into 5 to 7 lobes with pointed tips, deep notches, and a double-toothed margin.

Its leaves are lobed and attached to the branches in opposite directions, with a dull green upper surface and a silvery white lower surface. The Silver Maple is a tall tree with a single trunk and ascending branches that spread out into an open crown that can reach heights of 75 to 100 feet. Native/Non-Native: Native 100-125 years.Other popular names for this tree include Swamp Maple and Water Maple. They are also drought-tolerant, which makes them an excellent choice for Michigan’s climate. These flowers, which bloom in the early spring, give the tree its common name.īecause of their beauty, red maples are frequently planted as ornamental trees. They are about 14 inches wide and grow in 1-3 inch wide clusters. Red Maples have tiny red flowers that dangle from a red stalk. They prefer wet to moist soils and can often be found growing along swamps or in depressions that hold water. These trees are native to Michigan and have a life expectancy of 75-100 years. Red maples turn red or orange in the fall, making them a sight to behold. Red maples are easily identified by their red leaf stalks. The leaves have a double-toothed margin and are light green. The leaves of red maple trees are lobed, 3-4 inches long, and have 3-5 shallow notches between the lobes. They can reach heights of 40-60 feet and have a single trunk with a narrow, dense crown. Red maple trees are among the most common types of maple trees in Michigan. This tree is also known as Manitoba Maple or Ash-leaved Maple. The larvae of these beetles eat the tree’s leaves, but they do not cause much damage. These flowers eventually develop into a pair of green-winged seeds known as samaras, which can grow to be 1-2 inches long and brown.īoxelder bugs, which are harmless beetles, are frequently found on Boxelder trees. Tiny reddish flowers bloom on a 1-3 inch long stalk in the spring. Because Boxelder sap contains less sugar than other maple saps, it takes more sap to make a comparable syrup. The tree can be tapped in the spring to yield sap that can be boiled down to make maple syrup. It is frequently referred to as a “trash tree,” but it produces a large number of seeds that remain on the tree throughout the winter and provide a valuable food source for wildlife. These leaves turn yellow in the autumn.īoxelder is a native tree with a lifespan of 50-60 years. Each leaflet is typically 2-4 inches long, with three lobes and an irregular, toothed margin. The trunk of this tree is frequently divided and crooked, and its crown is broad and irregular.īoxelder leaves are compound, which means that each leaf is made up of 3-5 smaller leaflets. One of the most commonly found native maple trees in Michigan, Boxelder is a medium-sized tree found in wet areas along streams, lakes, and flooded areas in the Lower Peninsula’s southern half. Mature Height: 30-50 feet (9-15 meters).We also go over details like native range and habitats to help you identify the species much easier. In this article, we’ll look at each of these trees and provide detailed descriptions of their leaves, bark, flowers, and fruit. Out of these seven species, five are native to the state. In fact, more than seven other maple trees can be found across the region, each with its own unique characteristics. While Sugar Maple trees are common in the state, they are only one of many varieties of maple trees in Michigan. The state is known for its stunning natural beauty, and one of the most iconic elements of its landscape is the maple tree. Michigan residents are likely familiar with the sight of Sugar Maple trees lining the roads and adorning backyards.

Different types of maple tree