Maple Family (Aceraceae Family)
Get aeroallergen readings for Maple.
Important genera:
None
Tree pollen is dominant in the Spring.
Maple pollen season extends from February to May.
Maple trees in Missouri:
- Box Elder (Acer negundo)
- Big Leaf or Oregon Maple (Acer macrophyllum)
- Black Maple (Acer nigrum)
- Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
- Soft or Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
- Sugar or Hard Maple (Acer sacharum)
- Sycamore Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus)
- Japanese Red Maple, ornamental (Acer palmatum)
Facts about Maple
- There are 115 species of maple trees, ten of which are native to North America.
- Maples are medium to small deciduous trees with watery sap which is sometimes sugary.
- Most of the North American Acer species are pollinated by both insects and the wind.
Maple Allergenicity
- All maple pollen is highly allergenic.
- Box elder is the only species pollinated solely by the wind and therefore produces copious
amounts of pollen. It is regarded as the most allergenic spring tree pollen causing the most problems for hay-fever sufferers.
- Box elder is the fastest growing tree common in the Midwest and is the most potent member of the maple family. In northeastern and
mid-western states, the blooms appear before the leaves unfold in April and May.