Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about maples and our services.
What is the Maple Society?
The Maple Society is an international community dedicated to promoting the culture of all species within the genus u003cemu003eAceru003c/emu003e. Our goals include increasing public awareness of maples, promoting education, and actively supporting the environmental protection, scientific study, and conservation of maple species.
Why should I join the Maple Society?
If you are a maple enthusiast, expert, or amateur who wishes to share or gain knowledge, support the conservation, and promote the culture of all species within the genus Acer, there is no better place to find a like-minded community. Membership in the Maple Society comes with a wealth of benefits. On a global level, these include:u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eA high quality, full color, quarterly newsletter. Articles include: the latest on the Society activities, news on the latest cultivar introductions, scientific discoveries about species, conservation news, and much more (includes access to over 30 years of newsletters in our archive).u003cbru003eOpportunities to join exclusive international events, which tour the great gardens and nurseries of the world with expert guides.u003cbru003eTri-annual International Symposiums.u003cbru003eAccess to international language-local Zoom classes, held in English, French and Spanish (including access to previously recorded events).u003cbru003eAn opt-in list of members willing to share their gardens with you, or just get together to talk about maples.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eAdditional benefits are available from the local branches of The Maple Society, including:u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eDiscounts at nurseries and other maple resellers.u003cbru003eLocal educational events and classes (currently being held via Zoom).u003cbru003ePrivate tours of local gardens and nurseries.u003cbru003eAccess to local experts.u003cbru003eLocal social get-togethers and networking.u003cbru003eRegional meetings.u003cbru003eThe ability to shape the organization through your vote(s).u003cbru003eThe opportunity to place an ad about your business in the newsletter (depending on your membership level).u003cbru003eThe opportunity to blog about your maple knowledge or experiences.
How do I join the Maple Society?
We recommend joining a branch of the Maple Society within the region where you live. For those who live outside of these regions, or in areas with only a few members, you should join the branch best able to provide the things you are interested in / would like to do.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eAll members, regardless of which branch they are a member of, will receive both local branch benefits as well as global society benefits, including our magazine-style quarterly newsletters, and member-only access to comprehensive databases of species, cultivars and photographs of maples.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eClick on one of the following branches to learn more:u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eu003ca href=u0022https://maplesociety-europe.org/membership/join/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022 title=u0022Join Usu0022u003eEuropean Branchu003c/au003eu003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cemu003eServing all ofu003c/emu003e Europeu003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.maplesocietynorthamerica.org/membershipu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eu003cstrongu003eNorth American Branchu003c/strongu003eu003c/au003eu003cbru003eu003cemu003eServing all of Canada, the United States, and Mexicou003c/emu003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.adelka.com/public_html/tmsbi.org/services/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eu003cstrongu003eBritain and Ireland Branchu003c/strongu003eu003c/au003eu003cbru003eu003cemu003eServing all of Britain and Irelandu003c/emu003eu003cbru003e
What is a maple?
A maple is a shrub or tree belonging to the genus u003cemu003eAcer. u003c/emu003eThey are characterised by having their leaves arranged oppositely and having winged seeds (called samaras), usually in pairs.
Why grow maples?
Maples have a fantastic range of colour, leaf-shape and size, bark features, general appearance, and autumn displays to make them some of our most outstanding garden plants. Given that they tolerate a variety of conditions, every garden should have at least one maple specimen, or perhaps two, or maybe three…
Where are maples found naturally?
Maples are found across the Northern Hemisphere, generally in temperate zones with distinct seasons and annual rainfall above 800 mm per year. They grow as far north as Hokkaido in the east, and southern Alaska in the west. Some extend into the subtropical and tropical regions of Asia and one, u003cemu003eAcer laurinumu003c/emu003e, even grows south of the equator on the island of Java in Indonesia. A current, comprehensive list of maple species and subspecies is available to members of the Maple Society.
Are all maples deciduous?
No, several of those that come from the subtropical and tropical regions of Asia are evergreen. Unfortunately, they cannot be grown outdoors in much of Europe and North America. Some maples are deciduous in colder areas but can be evergreen if grown in warmer climates.
How big do maples grow?
Maples vary in size from small shrubs to sizeable trees with u003cemu003eAcer saccharumu003c/emu003e reaching 40 m in height. Most cultivars however grow to about 6-10 m in height.
What is a cultivar?
A cultivar is a variety of a plant that has been produced in cultivation. Cultivars are often selected because they look different or have an attractive feature such as leaf shape or colour or grow differently. There are many thousands of named maple cultivars, especially of those known as “Japanese Maples.” A comprehensive database of named maple cultivars, complete with identifying photographs, is currently being developed for members of the Maple Society.
Which maples have the best autumn colour?
Many maple species and cultivars have spectacular autumn colours, but it can vary from region to region. Many cultivars of u003cemu003eAcer rubrumu003c/emu003e have been specially selected for their autumn display as have many “Japanese Maples”, but numerous other species and cultivars can be just as good or even better on occasion but perhaps not as reliably. The autumn tints range from yellows to oranges to reds to scarlets or even crimsons. Their autumn display can be the best of any shrub or tree.
What is a “Japanese Maple?”
There are over 20 maples species native to Japan but in cultivation the term “Japanese Maples” refers to cultivars of u003cemu003eAcer palmatumu003c/emu003e, u003cemu003eAcer amoenumu003c/emu003e (sometimes included a subspecies of u003cemu003eAcer palmatumu003c/emu003e), u003cemu003eAcer japonicumu003c/emu003e and u003cemu003eAcer shirasawanumu003c/emu003e. Sometimes cultivars of the closely related species u003cemu003eAcer sieboldianumu003c/emu003e and the North American one u003cemu003eAcer circinatum u003c/emu003eare also included. Paradoxically the species Acer palmatum and Acer amoenum also occur naturally in China and Korea.
How are maples grown?
Maples can be grown from seed, cuttings (some), layers, or grafting onto closely related rootstock. Though most species can be readily grown from seed, (some can take a few seasons to germinate), cultivars need to be produced vegetatively with grafting on related rootstock most popular. This is why special cultivars can be expensive.
Should maples be grown in sun or shade?
Most maples grow at the edges of forests so many do not like to be exposed to full sun all day especially those with large papery leaves.
How much water do maples require?
This varies from species to species but once established, most maples will only need supplemental water during drought. Most maples with the exception of u003cemu003eAcer rubrumu003c/emu003e and u003cemu003eAcer saccharinumu003c/emu003e and their cultivars do not tolerate “wet feet” and will quickly die, even when well established. This is especially true of u003cemu003eAcer palmatumu003c/emu003e and Japanese maples, which are usually grafted onto u003cemu003eAcer palmatumu003c/emu003e rootstock.
How can I learn more about maples?
There are many books and online resources about maples, but learning from others is often easier and better. Joining the Maple Society will immediately put you in contact with numerous experts on all aspects of the genus u003cemu003eAceru003c/emu003e. Individual Maple Society branches hold regular events, meetings, and tours of gardens and collections of maples where you can meet many like-minded people all happy to impart their experience and knowledge. Members also receive a variety of other benefits, including our magazine-style newsletters filled with information about maples, access to our cultivar database, and more.
More Questions?
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JOIN THE MAPLE SOCIETY OF EUROPE
Are you passionate about trees and gardening?
Would you enjoy learning more about the remarkable maple, gaining access to a wealth of member benefits, all while getting to know others who share the same enthusiasm?
Join The Maple Society of Europe
Are you passionate about trees and gardening?
Would you enjoy learning more about the remarkable maple, gaining access to a wealth of member benefits, all while getting to know others who share the same enthusiasm?
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