Acer pensylvanicum

Acer pensylvanicum (Striped maple, Moosewood) is native to the North Eastern USA and neighbouring South Eastern Canada. The tree can be found growing there in the shrub layer of forests with, amongst others, Asimina triloba, Carpinus caroliniana and Ostrya virginiana, beneath a canopy of Acer saccharum, Betula alleghaniensis and Fagus grandifolia. The moosewood grows as a large shrub or small multi-stem tree up to a height of thirteen metres; in cultivation it tends to remain smaller, seven to nine metres tall and three to six metres wide. In general, Acer pensylvanicum forms a short trunk with a broad but unevenly vase-shaped crown with flat top. 

The moosewood can be clearly identified by its vertical stripes, which are fairly broad on this variety, on greenish brown bark. The same typical stripes can be found on the pink twigs. The species has the largest leaf of all snake-bark maples and is consequently easy to tell apart. The 3-lobed leaf, in the form of a goose foot, emerges light green with a brown hairy underside and changes colour to bright green in the summer when it also loses its hairs. Acer pensylvanicum has bright yellow autumn foliage. The pendulous, yellow-green flower clusters in May are an important source of nectar for bees and butterflies. After flowering small, winged fruits appear on the tree also known as samaras. 

Acer pensylvanicum occurs in the wild close to water on moist, acid, sandy loamy soils in deeper river valleys and cool, damp, shaded north-facing slopes. This maple tolerates full shade but grows best in partial/dappled shade on acid to neutral, moist but well-drained soil. The striking bark, stunning autumn colouring and attractive growth habit, perfect for parks, make Acer pensylvanicum an ornamental addition to shady sites in parks and gardens.