SafePlants

Striped Maple (Acer pensylvanicum)

The Striped Maple, also known as Moosewood or Moose Maple, is a distinctive small tree or large shrub native to North America.

Common Names

• Striped Maple
• Moosewood
• Moose Maple
• Goosefoot Maple
• Snakebark Maple

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Acer pensylvanicum L.
• Family: Aceraceae (Maple Family)
• Kingdom: Not specified in text.
• Rank: Species

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to eastern United States and adjacent Canada.
• Common in the Appalachians, especially at higher elevations (3,000+ feet).
• Found in woods, edges, slopes, clearings, and shaded naturalized areas.
• Grows as an understory tree in wooded areas.
• Thrives in well-drained soil, such as in the Adirondack Mountains.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• A small deciduous tree or large shrub, typically reaching 20-40 feet (4-10 meters) in height, occasionally up to 14.6 meters (15ft).
• Trunk diameter typically ranges from 7 to 20 cm.
• Bark is greenish-brown with conspicuous vertical white stripes, especially on younger wood, maturing to brown with striping.
• Leaves are large (up to 6 inches or .3m wide), wide, and typically have three main lobes, resembling a "goosefoot."
• Flowers in May, and seeds ripen in July.
• Sapwood is most commonly used rather than its heartwood, color ranges vary from.

Ecological Role

• Provides food in the form of bark and keys for many species, including beaver, deer, and moose.
• An understory tree that survives well within wooded areas.

Quirky Facts

• Moosewood is so named because moose often feed on the bark.
• Striped Maple is identifiable by its bark alone among New England maples.

Further Information

• Dave's Garden website for gardening tips and ideas.
• Leafsnap electronic field guide.
• Endangered Resources Program for identification information and photos.
• omcseeds.com for purchasing seeds.