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Red Maple vs American Sycamore
Acer rubrum
Platanus occidentalis
Red Maple is a beautiful deciduous tree that blooms with small red flowers in the spring. It is one of the first trees to change colour in the fall, turning a brilliant reddish-orange colour. It is one of the most common and widespread maples in North America.
Red Maple is a great choice for parks and large gardens where there is ample room for its root system.
Important note: Red Maple leaves are toxic to horses if ingested in quantity.
American Sycamore is the largest tree native to eastern North America. Generally too large and messy to be a street tree, American Sycamore thrives in large, open spaces, such as an acreage or farm.
The bark is one of the main features that draw people to this tree. The outer bark flakes off in irregular pieces to reveal an attractive white, green, and cream colored inner layer, providing winter interest.
American Sycamore has an extremely fast growth rate, gaining up to 6 ft in one year, and will easily reach its mature height in a short period of time. Be wary of this trees' root system, as it's typically very extensive and needs lots of room to expand.
Red Maple Quick Facts
American Sycamore Quick Facts
In row spacing: 2.4 - 4 m (8 - 12 ft)
Toxicity: wilted leaves toxic to horses