Description of Acer platanoides L. var. schwedleri Nichols.
Acer platanoides L. var. schwedleri Nichols. is a deciduous tree species in the family Sapindaceae and is commonly known as Schwedler Norway maple. This plant is a variety of Acer platanoides, which is native to Europe and parts of Asia.
Appearance
The Schwedler Norway maple grows up to 50 feet tall and can have a spread of up to 40 feet. It has an oval-rounded canopy with a dense and symmetrical branching pattern. The leaves have a reddish-purple color when they first emerge in the spring, which then changes to a dark green color as the leaves mature. During the autumn season, the leaves turn into a brilliant shade of red, which gives the tree a colorful appearance.
Uses
Acer platanoides L. var. schwedleri Nichols. is a popular cultivar that is widely used as a shade tree or ornamental plant in residential, commercial, and public landscapes. This plant performs best in moist, well-drained soils and can tolerate a wide range of soil pH levels. Besides its aesthetic value, this plant is also used in the production of maple syrup and wood products.
The sap from the Schwedler Norway maple is used to produce maple syrup that has a unique flavor. The wood from this plant is tough and durable, making it suitable for furniture, flooring, and other household items.
Light Requirements
Acer platanoides L. var. schwedleri Nichols. typically grow best in full sun to partial shade. In areas with hot summers, it may benefit from some afternoon shade to prevent leaf scorch. It can also tolerate full shade but may produce fewer flowers and have a thinner canopy.
Temperature Requirements
This plant prefers a temperate climate and can tolerate temperatures as low as -30°C (-22°F) in winter and up to 30°C (86°F) in summer. However, the optimal temperature range for growth is between 18°C (64°F) and 24°C (75°F).
Soil Requirements
Acer platanoides L. var. schwedleri Nichols. prefers well-draining soils that are rich in organic matter. It can tolerate a wide range of soil textures, from sand to clay, but prefers loamy soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. The plant is also tolerant of urban pollution and drought once established.
Cultivation Methods
Acer platanoides L. var. schwedleri Nichols., commonly known as the Schwedler Norwegian maple, is a deciduous tree that requires well-drained soil and adequate sunlight for optimal growth. The tree is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 7 and can tolerate a range of soil types.
Plant the Schwedler Norwegian maple in a hole that is slightly larger than the root ball and ensure that it is placed at the same depth as it was growing in the container. Water the tree well after planting and mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Watering Needs
The Schwedler Norwegian maple requires regular watering, especially during its first year of growth. Newly planted trees should be watered deeply at least once a week, more frequently during hot and dry weather. Established trees should be watered deeply once every two weeks during the growing season.
Avoid overwatering as this can lead to root rot and other fungal diseases. Check the moisture level of the soil before watering to ensure that it is not excessively wet or dry.
Fertilization
The Schwedler Norwegian maple benefits from regular fertilization to promote healthy growth and development. Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring before new growth appears, and repeat the application in early fall.
Use a slow-release granular fertilizer that is appropriate for trees, following the manufacturer's instructions for application rates. Avoid getting fertilizer on the trunk or foliage of the tree, as this can cause damage.
Pruning
Pruning is an essential part of caring for the Schwedler Norwegian maple, as it helps to maintain its shape and promote optimal growth. Prune the tree in late winter or early spring before new growth appears.
Remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches, as well as any crossing or rubbing branches. Thin out the canopy to improve airflow and reduce the risk of fungal diseases, and remove any suckers or water sprouts that appear at the base of the tree.
Avoid heavy pruning, as this can stress the tree and reduce its vigor. Always use sharp, clean pruning tools and sanitize them after each use to prevent the spread of diseases.
Propagation of Acer platanoides L. var. schwedleri Nichols.
Acer platanoides L. var. schwedleri Nichols., commonly known as Schwedler maple, is a deciduous tree that is native to Europe. It is a popular ornamental tree in many parts of the world because of its beautiful purple-red foliage. Propagation of this tree is possible through various methods, including:
Seed Propagation
Propagation of Acer platanoides L. var. schwedleri Nichols. through seeds is possible but may not always result in an identical copy of the parent plant. The seeds of the tree should be collected when they are fully ripe, usually in fall. The seeds should be subjected to cold stratification for three to four months at 5°C before planting in the spring. The seeds should be sown in a prepared seedbed or individual containers and kept moist until germination. The young plants should be grown on and transplanted after a year or two.
Cuttings Propagation
Acer platanoides L. var. schwedleri Nichols. can be propagated through hardwood cuttings or softwood cuttings. Softwood cuttings are taken in early summer from the current year's growth. Hardwood cuttings are normally taken in the winter when the trees are dormant. The cuttings should be treated with rooting hormone and stuck in a propagation medium and kept warm and moist to encourage root growth. The newly rooted plants should be kept in a sheltered area until they are robust enough to be transplanted.
Air Layering Propagation
Air layering is another method of propagation that is useful for Acer platanoides L. var. schwedleri Nichols. To air layer, select a stem where a new root system is needed and remove a ring of bark from the stem. Cover the ring of exposed wood with a rooting hormone and sphagnum moss. Cover the moss and hormone with plastic wrap and secure with tape at the upper and lower ends. Enclose the wrapped area with aluminum foil. The new roots will emerge within a few months, and the new plant can be separated from the parent plant and transplanted the following spring.
Disease and Pest Management for Acer platanoides L. var. schwedleri Nichols.
Acer platanoides L. var. schwedleri Nichols., commonly known as the Schwedler Norway maple, is susceptible to several diseases and pests that can cause significant damage to the plant. Proper disease and pest management practices are necessary to keep the plant healthy. Here are some common diseases and pests that affect the Schwedler Norway maple and ways to manage them:
Diseases
Verticillium Wilt: Verticillium wilt is a fungal disease that causes wilting and yellowing of leaves, stunting of growth, and death of branches in Acer platanoides. The disease can remain in the soil for years and can infect the plant through the roots. Cultural control methods that can help reduce the incidence of this disease include planting disease-resistant cultivars, avoiding wounding the roots or trunk of the plant, and improving soil drainage. Chemical control is not effective against verticillium wilt.
Tar Spot: Tar spot is a fungal disease that causes black spots on the leaves of Acer platanoides. Although it does not cause major damage to the plant's health, it can be unsightly. To manage this disease, remove infected leaves and destroy them. Avoid overhead watering and promote good air circulation around the plant.
Pests
Maple Leaf Cutter: The maple leaf cutter is a caterpillar that feeds on the leaves of Acer platanoides. Large infestations can defoliate the tree and stress it, making it susceptible to other pests and diseases. To manage this pest, handpick and destroy the caterpillars or use insecticides such as Bacillus thuringiensis.
Scales: Scales are small, immobile pests that attach themselves to the bark of Acer platanoides and suck the plant's sap. Heavy infestations can cause yellowing of the foliage, stunted growth, and even death of the plant. To manage this pest, prune and remove infested branches. Apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to the trunk and branches of the plant in late winter or early spring to control scales.
Proper disease and pest management can help keep Acer platanoides L. var. schwedleri Nichols. healthy and thriving. Early detection and intervention are crucial in preventing major damage to the plant.
