The collection reflects the taxonomic diversity of the maple genus and represents the diversity of ornamental traits of maple trees.
Maples are summer green (rarely evergreen) trees or shrubs. There are about 150 species of maple trees worldwide, mainly distributed in North and Central America, North Africa, Eurasia, and the temperate zone of Asia. Only one species grows naturally in Lithuania, the Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.). The other 40 species found in Lithuania are introduced. Dozens of ornamental cultivars of maple trees are developed every year around the world, which are distinguished by the colour of their leaves and often also by the colour of their blooms. The most bred cultivars of maple in the world are the Japanese maple (Acer japonicum Thunb.) and the palmate maple (Acer palmatum Thumb.), which have brightly coloured and ornamental leaf shapes not only in autumn but also in summer.
VU Botanical Garden aims to create a collection of the most suitable maple trees for cultivation in Lithuania. The maple species and varieties most adapted to Lithuanian conditions are selected. The varieties are selected based on their ornamental qualities, which are most representative of the diversity of ornamental features of maple trees.
The history of alien maples in Europe dates back to 1663 when they were first described as a plant used by the Indians to extract sugar, which has other uses: cough medicine, soap and dye production, etc. American explorers had already discovered the tree in 1536 but considered it a very large nut tree. Maples were brought to Lithuania in the 18th century. The collection was started in VU Botanical Garden in 1949. The first plants (species) in the collection were grown from seed. At present, the garden has 23 species, varieties and 8 cultivars of maple trees.
The maple trees selected for the maple collection are those with the best winter cold tolerance and can grow in USDA cold hardiness zones 4-6. Efforts are also made to select representatives with different crown forms. Another selection criterion is the colour of the maple leaves. The leaves of varieties, and sometimes species, can range from green to very mottled and brightly coloured during the growing season. They may be red, yellow, orange, or bicoloured. Modern varieties and certain species of maple are also distinguished by the shape of their leaves. Maple leaves are usually simple, continuous, or simply lobed, but there are also species with compound leaves.
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Norway maple (Acer platanoides) 'Crimson King' A deciduous tree up to 30m tall and about 1m wide with an oval crown. The leaves are palmate, scabrous, even-lobed, richly purplish, and slightly glossy. It flowers with pink flowers in May-April when the leaves are spreading. |
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Norway maple (Acer platanoides) 'Globosum' A deciduous tree, 1.5-5m tall (depending on the height of grafting), with a spherical crown up to 1.5m wide. Leaves are palmately lobed, usually with 5-7 lobes, pointed, equilateral, and green.
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Sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) It is a deciduous tree, up to 15-35m tall and about 2m in diameter. The crown is broadly oval. Leaves are usually five-lobed, 8-10cm long and 7-16cm wide, with a slightly wrinkled bright green top and a bluish-green, slightly hairy underside. The leaf lobes are pointed and toothed. It flowers in May with pale yellow flowers. Inflorescence length 6-16cm. The winged fruits are about 5cm long, joined at right angles, and ripen in September or October.
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Ivy-leaved maple (Acer cissifolium K. Koch) A deciduous tree up to 12m tall. Leaves are compound trifoliate, green. Young leaves are deeply hairy on both sides, later only the underside is hairy. Blooms in May with greenish flowers in clusters. The winged fruits are about 3cm long, joined at an angle of 60 degrees. |
