Manitoba Maple (Acer negundo) Characteristics
General Description
- Fast-growing, short-lived deciduous tree: Typically reaches heights of 10–20 meters and can live up to 60 years[1][2][3].
- Native range: Canadian Prairies, parts of Ontario, and the northern United States, but has expanded widely due to adaptability[2][4][5].
Leaves
- Compound leaves: The only native Canadian maple with pinnately compound leaves, usually with 3–9 asymmetrical leaflets per leaf[6][1][7].
- Leaflets: Coarsely toothed or lobed, light green on the upper surface, greyish-green below, and turn yellow in autumn[6][1][3].
- Ash-like appearance: The compound leaves resemble those of ash trees[4][3].
Bark and Twigs
- Bark: Smooth and light greyish-brown when young, becoming darker and furrowed with age[6][1][7][3].
- Twigs: Hairless, shiny, greenish-purple or brown, often with a waxy coating[6].
- Buds: Terminal bud is ovoid and blunt, with 2–3 pairs of hairy scales; lateral buds are pressed against the twig[6][8].
Flowers and Fruit
- Dioecious: Male and female flowers grow on separate trees[6][2][7][9].
- Flowers: Small, petal-less, pale green or yellowish-green, blooming in early spring with or just before the leaves[6][1][7][3].
- Fruit: Pairs of winged keys (samaras) with incurved wings, 30–50 mm long, hanging in drooping clusters; seeds are abundant and fertile, providing food for birds and squirrels[6][1][5][3].
Growth Habit
- Form: Can have a long, straight trunk in forests, but often divides near the ground with sprawling, crooked branches in open areas, resulting in a broad, uneven crown[6][7].
- Root system: Shallow and fibrous, though a taproot may develop in deep soils[6].
- Branches: Known for weak wood and branches that break easily in storms[2][7].
Habitat and Ecology
- Habitat: Common along lakeshores, stream banks, seasonally flooded sites, disturbed areas, and urban environments[6][2][4][10].
- Soil and moisture: Extremely adaptable—tolerates a wide range of soils, from clay to sand, and both moist and dry conditions[4][5].
- Light: Prefers full sun to partial shade; intolerant of deep shade[6][1][5].
- Invasiveness: Considered invasive in some regions due to its rapid growth, high seed production, and ability to dominate disturbed or open habitats[2][4].
Wildlife and Human Uses
- Wildlife: Seeds (samaras) are an important food source for birds and small mammals[1][7][5][3].
- Human uses: Sometimes tapped for syrup, though the syrup is less common than that from sugar maple; wood is used for pulp, boxes, and ornamental items[1][5].
Notable Features
- Only native maple in Canada with compound leaves[1][7].
- Weak wood: Branches are prone to breakage, especially in wind or ice storms[2][7].
- Invasive tendencies: Can outcompete other native species in disturbed or resource-rich environments[2][4].
An Acer negundo tree leans over a body of water.
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- http://www.ontario.ca/page/manitoba-maple
- https://www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca/invasive-plants/species/manitoba-maple/
- https://treebee.ca/trees/manitoba-maple/
- https://www.credelaval.qc.ca/en/alien-invasive-species---d-tails/manitoba-maple-acer-negundo
- https://www.awes-ab.ca/species/manitoba-maple/
- https://tidcf.nrcan.gc.ca/en/trees/factsheet/81
- https://arboretum.uoguelph.ca/thingstosee/trees/manitobamaple
- https://www.assiniboinepark.ca/stories/94/plant-profile-the-manitoba-maple
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acer_negundo
- https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/biosci/manitoba-maple
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