For all our sentimental attachment to Canada’s national emblem, how much do we really know about the many varieties of maples and their growth habits? You may be surprised to learn, for example, that our native sugar, red and silver species are not well-suited to most small backyards—though gardeners with larger lots are encouraged to plant these traditional maples to prevent them from dying out. Still, there’s a maple for everyone (it’s the most sought-after tree in Canada); the decision on which type to grow simply needs to be an educated one.
Dozens of species of these trees grow around the world, all belonging to the enor-mous Aceraceae family. Many look quite different from the classic wide-spreading round-headed maple tree that we love.
**Will and Georgia Cross after an exhilarating fall day spent collecting maple leaf specimens in their gilded yard in Ancaster, Ont.**
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