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Moosewood Chandeliers

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The flowers of striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum; photos: Deborah Perkins)

The flowers of striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum; photos: Deborah Perkins)

“With prominent striped bark and massive leaves, this native tree is a great ornamental choice for a habitat garden.”

With so many things in bloom right now it was hard to choose the star for this week's note, but rather than choose something more obvious like one of our many celebrated spring wildflowers, I am choosing instead to shine a light on an underappreciated plant: striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum). This common understory tree is also known as: moosewood, moose maple, goosefoot maple, or… whistlewood (this latter one is my new favorite name!).

With prominent striped bark and massive leaves, this native tree is a great ornamental choice for a habitat garden. The bark is striking, especially in the winter. Come spring, you'll be treated to these elegantly drooping clusters of bright yellow-green flowers.

When I pointed these flowers out to my 11-year old daughter she exclaimed "Oh, wow! They look like chandeliers"!

In the wild these shade-loving trees love moist soils and rocky slopes. The twigs, leaves, and seeds provide food for mammals and birds.

All our maples are important host plants for lepidopterans - meaning that they sustain the larval forms of many moths and butterflies. These lepidopteran larvae are the caterpillars which most of our songbirds feed their chicks. So there you have it - another "living birdfeeder"!

I hope you enjoyed this Phenology Note!

Join me in witnessing the seasons of our wild world.

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#ThePersonalEcologistI partner with eco-minded landowners to create thriving wildlife habitats in their backyards, gardens, fields and farms, woods or campuses - at any scale.I have 25 years of experience in my field, and a lifelong commitment to wi…

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I co-create biodiverse habitats with eco-minded stewards throughout the Northeast - at any scale.

I have 30 years of experience and a lifelong commitment to wildlife conservation.

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Deborah Perkins