Maple is a popular tree that is found in the temperate zones of the Southern and Northern Hemisphere. Widely distributed in North America near the banks of streams and not only. In general, in the maple genus there are about 150 species, among which black maple occupies a special place. This deciduous tree of unusual beauty grows up to 40 meters in height.
Where does it meet
Black maple is found in nature on different types of soils. It can be found in the lowlands, as well as at an altitude of about a kilometer above sea level. In the south of the Appalachians, the tree grows at an altitude of 1650 m above sea level. Usually black maple grows on the banks of water bodies.
Plant description
The tree reaches a height of forty meters, and this species refers to slowly growing. The most intense growth is observed in the first years of life, after which it slows down.
Black maple belongs to long-lived plants - lives for more than two centuries.
This type of maple is a non-flowering plant, with a growing season from early May to early October. He has a superficial root system.
The Twin Brothers
Maple is a plant that is used for landscaping the streets, in landscape design. Breeders are working on breeding new varieties. One of these is the holly maple Faassens Black. Due to its appearance, it can rightly be called the brother of black maple, only the cultivar is less tall and decorative. This species is often grown in garden plots, in parks, squares.
Faassens Black is characterized by a dense broad-conical crown with large dark red-brown leaves. The tree reaches a height of no more than 15 meters. Moreover, during growth, the crown develops evenly, reaching a diameter of 8 meters.
The leaves of the variety are large, saturated color, matte, on long petioles. During blooming in spring, they have a bright red tint. Together with the blooming of leaves, the tree begins to bloom in greenish-yellow flowers. Then lionfish are formed up to five centimeters long.
Growing conditions
The black maple tree and a similar variety of holly maple prefer to grow in bright areas, but can easily tolerate partial shade, although in this case they slightly lose their attractiveness. Plants develop best on moist, fresh soils where there is no stagnation of water. Knowing where the black maple grows, you can easily find the right place. Ideally, for varieties with colored leaves, places with partial shade are selected.
To get a black maple as in the photo, for propagation take cuttings or vaccinations. The latter method is recommended to be used only by an experienced gardener who has tree grafting skills.
Landing and care
Young trees develop well on fertile soils. However, if groundwater flows shallow, then drainage from crushed stone is laid at the bottom of the landing pit.
When landing, they must withstand a distance of at least two meters. When planting a hedge of maple, a distance of 2 meters is maintained.
Young plantings provide good watering. However, not only the quality of the soil and the care depends on what the plant will be like. It also depends on the quality of the planting material. To grow a decorative black maple as in the photo, you need to make a lot of efforts to find a good seedling. The black variety is not cheap, so the low price of such plants should be alarming.
When buying maple seedlings, it is important to consider the planting time. It is best to plant maple in late September or early October. During planting, the leaves should be slightly curled on it, there should be no damage, defects on the roots.
Maple is planted in the planting pit so that the root neck is placed at the same level with the soil surface. After planting, the plant is immediately watered.
The tree gratefully responds to good care. It is recommended to feed at least three times a season with complex mineral fertilizers. Young trees are recommended to be shaded in the first year of life in a new place from the scorching sun. Also, young trees need abundant watering: during a drought, it is recommended to water the maple 1-2 times a week (depending on the type of soil). There should be enough water so that it can soak the soil to a depth of 1 meter or more.
Under the sapling, the ground must be loosened, weeds are removed. Black views should not be pruned unless, of course, it is planned to create a unique landscape composition. But sanitary pruning is carried out necessarily once a year, removing during the procedure all frozen, dry branches.
Maple Benefits
Maple has many useful properties. Juice, infusions and other remedies help fight a variety of ailments, including:
- pathologies of the genitourinary system - used as a diuretic;
- diseases of the liver and gall bladder - maple juice has a choleretic effect;
- pathologies of the cardiovascular system.
Maple also has a positive effect on the pancreas, helps fight infections, oncology, and cleanses the blood of toxins.
The juice
One of the most healthy foods made from maple is juice. The first mention of it was found in the sixteenth century.
The beneficial properties of black maple are the benefits of juice. It contains many vitamins, micro and macro elements. 90% juice consists of water. The juice contains many antioxidant compounds that are useful in the fight against cancer, pathologies of the cardiovascular system.
Maple juice contains few sugars, fructose, and glucose, which is why it is recommended for people with diabetes and obesity.
Since ancient times, people use not only maple juice, but also its leaves. Of these, decoctions are prepared that are used to treat diseases of the nasopharynx and skin pathologies. The effectiveness of the drug is due to the antimicrobial effect of the resulting product.
Maple is considered a good antidepressant. Taking juice helps reduce aggression, overcome stress, restore energy. In some areas of Germany, it is used as a means to increase potency.
There are no contraindications for juice intake.
Folk remedies
Fresh maple leaves make an infusion. For it, you need to grind the leaves, then pour a spoonful of raw materials with a glass of boiling water and let it brew for thirty minutes. The resulting tincture is taken three times a day, dividing the resulting volume into equal parts.
You can make alcohol maple tincture. To prepare it, a container is taken in which maple leaves are placed. Then they are poured to the brim with vodka. The composition is insisted for two weeks, after which it is filtered. Take twenty drops before meals.
To treat the pathology of the oral cavity, a spoonful of raw material is taken and 1.5 cups of boiling water is poured. The resulting mixture is simmered for half an hour. The finished product is allowed to cool to room temperature. It is used to rinse the mouth three times a day.