Douglas Maple vs Sweet Gale

Douglas Maple is a fast growing, long lived, ornamental tree. It can take on a shrubby or multi-stemmed form with densely packed leaves, making it an excellent tree for privacy screens and hedges.

In the fall, the leaves make a brilliant change to red, orange, or yellow depending on the tree and its sun exposure. Douglas Maple's compact size makes it ideal for planting in urban yards and under power lines.

Sweet Gale is a native, nitrogen-fixing shrub known for its aromatic foliage. Tiny glands on the leaves release a balmy, bay leaf-like scent with floral and citrus notes. In spring, the yellowish male catkins provide one of the earliest sources of pollen for bees and other insects. While later in the season, the female catkins produce seeds that are eaten by waterfowl. Sweet Gale is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate plants.

Sweet Gale thrives in wet, acidic soils and is commonly found along wetlands and lakeshores. It can help stabilize shorelines, while its dense growth provides valuable cover for wildlife. It is well-suited for naturalization, wetland restoration, and erosion control projects.

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