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Acer pensylvanicum - L.

Common Name Moosewood, Striped maple, Moosewood, Pennsylvania Maple
Family Aceraceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Moist rich woodlands, often by water, from sea level to 1,000 metres[200, 229]. Usually in the shade of other trees and occasionally forming a large part of the shrubby undergrowth[82].
Range Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Georgia, west to Michigan.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Acer pensylvanicum Moosewood, Striped maple, Moosewood, Pennsylvania Maple


Acer pensylvanicum Moosewood, Striped maple, Moosewood, Pennsylvania Maple

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Green. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Oval, Rounded, Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Acer pensylvanicum is a deciduous Tree growing to 4.5 m (14ft 9in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiemetic  Emetic  Kidney  Pectoral

A tea made from the inner bark is used in the treatment of colds, coughs, bronchitis, kidney infections, gonorrhoea and the spitting of blood[222]. A wash is used externally on swollen limbs and as a wash for paralysis[222]. A tea made from the leaves and twigs is used to both allay and induce vomiting, depending on the dosage[222].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Preservative

The leaves are packed around apples, rootcrops etc to help preserve them[18, 20]. The wood is light, soft, close-grained and satiny, it weighs 33lb per cubic foot[82, 235]. It is not used commercially, though it is sometimes used for fuel[226].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Erosion control. Of easy cultivation, it prefers a sunny position or light dappled shade and a good moist well-drained soil but succeeds on most soils, especially those on the acid side, and dislikes alkaline soils[182, 200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are hardy to about -25°c when they are fully dormant[200]. A good tree for street planting[200]. Most maples are bad companion plants, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants[18, 20]. Special Features:North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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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[80, 113]. 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. 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. Grafting is not usually advised for this species, though any cultivars can be grafted onto rootstocks of the species.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Subject : Acer pensylvanicum  
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