MAPLE MANIA: Sometimes, we can’t see the trees for the
forest.

That’s the message we got from a Henrico, Va., man who is
singing the praises of acer Pensylvanicum – a striped maple that
grows in abundance in the Bradford area.

Richard Beasley of the International Maples Society, North
American Branch, will be in town as our foliage peaks – mostly, of
course, the maples. He writes, “One of the most beautiful of all
the different maple species has to be acer Pensylvanicum.”

“The tree has a smooth bark that ranges in color from bright
green to a soft gray. The bark is highlighted by bright white
stripes, making it stand apart from all others. When we feel old
man winter’s chilly blow, we know change is in the air. The tired
old leaves know it is time to begin their transformation from it
bright translucent green to hues of yellow and gold.

“The coming cold brings other changes as well. The bark of this
magnificent tree will begin to darken to beautiful hues of red and
brown. As spring arrives the show goes into full gear first with it
pinkish buds and stems striped in white as well. Soon we forget
winters charms and our old friend and we will surely miss its many
blooms of green and yellow.

“Acer Pensylvanicum is an ideal tree for any landscape; it is
not a large growing tree, making it welcome in most place. It has
twice won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

“You can easily find the tree on an afternoon hike. It seems as
if Bradford is the birth place of this tree as they are extremely
abundant here.”

“If you do decide to place one in your yard you will need to
know how two capture it. If the tree is of any real size the roots
will need to be pruned first. You can take a spade then to mark a
circle around the tree as far as the canopy goes out.

“Once the circle has been found cut the roots with it. Then next
fall you can dig the tree for transplant, keeping the roots damp,
while and after. If you find a seedling, just capture the dirt
around the roots and take it home, but do remember like all babies
a seedling needs constant care and attention for two years.”