Acer nigrum black sugar maple

Acer nigrum ‘Greencolumn’ at 445 Bryant Street, Palo Alto. Sairus Patel, 31 Oct 2024

Leaves of Acer nigrum ‘Greencolumn’, 445 Bryant Street, Palo Alto. Sairus Patel, 31 Oct 2024

Formerly considered a variety of sugar maple, this maple distinguishes itself by being more tolerant to heat and drought. Palo Alto has planted several in the past couple of decades, for example the allée of eight ‘Greencolumn’ in front of 445 Bryant Street. Unlike sugar maple, the tips of the leaves’ lobes droop, resulting in a cupped or clasped effect, obscuring the shape. It is the only maple with leafy stipules; these can be hard to find but are worth the hunt.

Leafy stipule of Acer nigrum ‘Greencolumn’, 445 Bryant Street, Palo Alto. Sairus Patel, 31 Oct 2024

Leafy stipules of Acer nigrum ‘Greencolumn’, 445 Bryant Street, Palo Alto. Sairus Patel, 31 Oct 2024