Norway Maple, Acer Platanoides Kaniya C.
The Rise and Fall of the Norway Maple Autobiography It felt great to be noticed for my brute strength and ability to withstand what others couldn't. I thought that’s what they liked about me; that is what they liked about me,well, at first. I came at their lowest point they needed me to stand where others would fall and to prosper where others couldn't. I did want I deemed necessary; I weeded out the weak for them. If they couldn't grow in adversity then they didn't deserve to grow at all. Now they want to call me a nuisance and say that i’m invasive after all i've done for them. Even their leaders saw my worth, saw how I could help them. They took me from my home and brought me to this once diseased land only to not want me to be here anymore, unbelievable. |
One of an undesired Race I am one of an undesired race Not because of where I fall short but where I succeed I am part of an unwanted species This means my time can be cut short at anytime I am part of the ill-favored kind Because neither heat nor cold can destroy my kind And I can grow with easy and thrive in almost anywhere I am hated because I am the Samson of the trees My strength makes others fear what I can do My growth halts the growth of almost everyone who comes in my reach I am one of an undesired race So i understand them not wanting my presence But I am not willing to stop my progress for the sake of others If they no longer desire me and don't want me here That's up to them to stop my growth |
The Norway Maple or Acer Platanoides is a 40-50 ft tall deciduous tree native towards central and Eastern Europe. This invasive plant species was originally brought to North America by John Bartram and sold as a replacement of the Dutch Elm Disease because they could grow fast in withstand lots of conditions. I chose this tree because of the green moss that was on it. First, I am going to be focusing on how the Norway maple was a an economic benefit and how know it's costing more just to get rid of them. The second thing I'm going to look at is their positive and negative effects on the environment. The last thing I’m going to look at is the history of the Norway maple, from when George Washington started unknowingly planting this invasive species to the controversial use of the Norway maple on modern Canadian money. The knowledge of the Norway maple is important because if we are not careful, it could wipe out entire species of trees.
The Norway Maple was originally brought to North America in 1756 by John Bartram. Later, in 1762 Bartram started to sell these seeds in his catalogs; also notably selling to trees to George Washington, unaware that they were an invasive species. Later, when Dutch Elm Disease started to kill a lot of the street trees, the Norway Maple became a popularly used tree to give shade. Recently the Norway Maple on Canadian money is confirmed by a botanist but that is not without its controversy.
The Norway Maple is able to withstand lots of different weather conditions: Snow, heat, and rain. It also only takes a few years for the Norway Maple to reach its mature height. It provides food sources for many different types of animals such as the black bear, raccoon, gray squirrel, and many other types of animals and birds. On the dark side, the rapid growth and dense shade provided by the Norway Maple tends to crowd out other types of trees and plants.
The Norway Maple was originally a great source of revenue for the people who sold them back in nurseries in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today it is still a cheap way to give shade with the trees only costing as low as $175. The problem it creates, though, is that it crowds out important trees needed economically such as the Sugar Maple. In the Northeastern areas this impacts small and commercial businesses that produce maple syrup and sugar.
So in conclusion, the Norway Maple does not need our help or protection. It is an invasive species that crowds out the growth of native trees. In effect it halts economically maple syrup and sugar production by specifically crowding out the Sugar Maple tree. The best way to stop the spread of this invasive species is by not planting it and not allowing it to reproduce its seeds.
The Norway Maple was originally brought to North America in 1756 by John Bartram. Later, in 1762 Bartram started to sell these seeds in his catalogs; also notably selling to trees to George Washington, unaware that they were an invasive species. Later, when Dutch Elm Disease started to kill a lot of the street trees, the Norway Maple became a popularly used tree to give shade. Recently the Norway Maple on Canadian money is confirmed by a botanist but that is not without its controversy.
The Norway Maple is able to withstand lots of different weather conditions: Snow, heat, and rain. It also only takes a few years for the Norway Maple to reach its mature height. It provides food sources for many different types of animals such as the black bear, raccoon, gray squirrel, and many other types of animals and birds. On the dark side, the rapid growth and dense shade provided by the Norway Maple tends to crowd out other types of trees and plants.
The Norway Maple was originally a great source of revenue for the people who sold them back in nurseries in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today it is still a cheap way to give shade with the trees only costing as low as $175. The problem it creates, though, is that it crowds out important trees needed economically such as the Sugar Maple. In the Northeastern areas this impacts small and commercial businesses that produce maple syrup and sugar.
So in conclusion, the Norway Maple does not need our help or protection. It is an invasive species that crowds out the growth of native trees. In effect it halts economically maple syrup and sugar production by specifically crowding out the Sugar Maple tree. The best way to stop the spread of this invasive species is by not planting it and not allowing it to reproduce its seeds.