Maple Trees

Maple trees are large trees that grow in many parts of the world. They are known for their leaves with pointed tips. In fall, maple leaves turn bright red, orange, and yellow. People also use maple trees to make yummy maple syrup.

The Leaves and Seeds

A maple leaf has a special shape with five pointed parts. The leaves are green in spring and summer. When fall comes, they change into bright colors before dropping off. Maple trees make seeds that look like little helicopters. When the seeds fall, they spin through the air and float to new places.

Making Maple Syrup

Maple syrup comes from the sap inside maple trees. In early spring, people drill small holes in the trunks to collect the sap. The sap is a thin, watery liquid at first. It is boiled for hours to make it thick and sweet. It takes about 40 gallons of sap to make just one gallon of syrup.

Fun Facts

• The maple leaf is the symbol on the flag of Canada.
• There are over 100 kinds of maple trees.
• A sugar maple tree can live for more than 300 years.

Did You Know?

Maple trees were here before the dinosaurs went extinct, which means they are very, very old as a species.