Photo by Olivia Hutcherson on Unsplash.Ī maple tree also has seeds that look and fly like a helicopter. Maple trees have pointed leaves that look like hands.
The easiest way to decide if a tree is a maple tree is to look at its leaves and seeds. You can also find maple trees on the edges of old pastures and in neighborhoods because people like to plant them! Step 2: Look for Maple Leaves and Helicopter Seeds
They do not grow well in places where road salt or lots of traffic compact the soil. Maple trees grow best in rich, moist, well-drained soil and on hillsides. This means that there will probably be fewer maple trees in southern Minnesota 100 years from now.Įven within the northeastern United States, sugar maple trees do not grow everywhere. Scientists predict that climate change will make places farther north better for maple trees. In the future, sugar maple trees might not grow in the same places. This map from the US Geological Survey shows where sugar maple trees grow. This includes the eastern part of Minnesota where the Arboretum is located. On the map, the green parts are places where sugar maple trees grow. Sugar maple trees grow in the northeastern United States and Southeastern Canada. Step 1: Be in a Place Where Maple Trees Grow But what if you wanted to make your own? The first step would be finding a sugar maple tree. If you want a taste of maple syrup, your first stop might be the grocery store or the Arboretum Gift & Garden Store. How can I find a maple tree to tap? Image by Todd Mulvihill of the Arboretum Photographers Society