Buckhannon in Upshur County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Acer saccharum (sugar maple)

<i>Acer saccharum</i> (sugar maple) Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, March 10, 2025

1. Acer saccharum (sugar maple) Marker

Inscription.

Acer saccharum (sugar maple). . , Family: Aceraceae (Maple Family), Distribution: Sugar maple is widespread in mixed hardwood forests of eastern North America. In the United States it is absent from Florida and South Carolina but grows as far west as Oklahoma and North Dakota. It is common throughout West Virginia., Size: 80-120 ft., Habitat/Description: Sugar maple grows in mixed hardwood forests, mesic woods, drier upland woods, valleys, ravines, canyons, streambanks and stream terraces. Occasionally, it is found on dry, rocky hillsides. Yellowish-green flowers bloom between April and June and winged fruits appear between June and October. Moose, deer, and snowshoe hare browse the sugar maple. Gray squirrels, red squirrels, and flying squirrels feed on the seeds, buds, twigs, and leaves. Porcupines consume the bark. Cavity nesters, such as songbirds and woodpeckers make their homes in this tree. The flowers appear to be wind-pollinated but bees and other pollen-dependent insects visit the flowers, which indicates that early-produced pollen may attract them. Although there is much variation within the species, the green leaves turn from yellow to orange to red-orange in fall. This is a native, non-invasive species., Ethnobotanical Uses: The sugar maple is the only tree currently being used for commercial syrup production. This is because it possesses twice the sugar content when compared to other maple species. In the spring, the sap is collected. A single tree can produce anywhere from 1.5-16 gallons of sap per year. The flow of this sap is increased with the presence of below freezing nights and days that are warmer than 40°F. Collected sap is concentrated by reverse osmosis or boiling. It takes approximately 9 to 11 gallons of sap to make 4 cups of syrup. For Native Americans and early settlers, the sugar maple served as the primary source of sweetener other than honey. Native Americans also used the sap to make candies, fresh or fermented beer, and vinegar, which was used in cooking meat.

Family: Aceraceae (Maple Family)

Distribution: Sugar maple is widespread in mixed hardwood forests of eastern North America. In the United States it is absent from Florida and South Carolina but grows as far west as Oklahoma and North Dakota. It is common throughout West Virginia.

Size: 80-120 ft.

Habitat/Description: Sugar maple grows in mixed hardwood forests, mesic woods, drier upland woods, valleys, ravines, canyons, streambanks and stream terraces. Occasionally, it is found on dry, rocky hillsides. Yellowish-green flowers bloom between April and June and winged fruits appear between June and October. Moose, deer, and snowshoe hare browse the sugar maple. Gray squirrels, red squirrels, and flying squirrels feed on the seeds, buds, twigs, and leaves. Porcupines consume the bark. Cavity nesters, such as songbirds and woodpeckers make their homes in this tree. The flowers appear to be wind-pollinated but bees and other pollen-dependent insects visit the flowers, which indicates that early-produced pollen may attract them. Although there is much variation within the species, the green leaves turn from yellow to orange to red-orange in fall. This is a native, non-invasive species.

Ethnobotanical Uses: The sugar maple is the only tree currently being used for commercial syrup production.

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This is because it possesses twice the sugar content when compared to other maple species. In the spring, the sap is collected. A single tree can produce anywhere from 1.5-16 gallons of sap per year. The flow of this sap is increased with the presence of below freezing nights and days that are warmer than 40°F. Collected sap is concentrated by reverse osmosis or boiling. It takes approximately 9 to 11 gallons of sap to make 4 cups of syrup. For Native Americans and early settlers, the sugar maple served as the primary source of sweetener other than honey. Native Americans also used the sap to make candies, fresh or fermented beer, and vinegar, which was used in cooking meat.

Erected 2017 by West Virginia Wesleyan College Department of Biology.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 38° 59.606′ N, 80° 13.034′ W. Marker is in Buckhannon, West Virginia, in Upshur County. It can be reached from Camden Avenue north of Walktrail Lane, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located on the Buckhannon Nature Park and Learning Trail west of the Camden Avenue parking area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8 Camden Avenue, Buckhannon WV 26201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, March 10, 2025

2. Acer saccharum (sugar maple) Marker

Regionally, this marker is in North Central West Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Acer rubrum (red maple) (here, next to this marker); Ligustrum vulgare (Chinese or common privet) (a few steps from this marker); Tony Gum Bridge (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Tony Gum Bridge (a few steps from this marker); Chionanthus virginicus (fringetree) (a few steps from this marker); Euonymus atropurpureus (burning bush, eastern wahoo) (within shouting distance of this marker); Platanus occidentalis (American sycamore) (within shouting distance of this marker); Microstegium vimineum (Japanese stiltgrass) (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buckhannon.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 108 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 28, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.