we have a
lot of
different
maples here
in the Pacific
Northwest,
but by far the
most
inconspicuou
s in the
summer is
the vine
maple, Acer
cincinatum.
Not very
imposing, it
grows to the
size of a
large shrub
or a small
tree. It often
lives in the
shady
understory
of a conifer
forest,
although it
also pops up
in lowlands,
clearcuts,
and on steep
slopes. It has
long and
skinny
branched
trunks that
root when
they touch
the soil, so
the tree gets
a tangled
and viney
appearance,
often
forming
graceful
arches over
trails and
small
streams.
In contrast to
its modest
summer
appearance,
it is the most
showy of the
Pacific
Northwest
maples in the
fall when its
leave turn
bright red or
dayglo
orange. What
was almost
invisible
during the
summer
evolves into
an autumn
masterpiece.
John Lovell in
Honey Plants
of North
America
(1926) says
the vine
maple is a
more
important
honey plant
than the
broadleaf
(bigleaf)
maple, Acer
macrophyllu
m, probably
because it
blooms a
little later. He
says, “The
honey has a
fine flavor
and is white
or amber-
colored with
a faint
pinkish
tinge.”
According to
Nectar and
Pollen Plants
of Oregon
and the
Pacific
Northwest
(1989), the
nectar is
27-58%
sugar and
some years
the trees
produce
large
amounts.
Honey bees
collect pollen
as well as
nectar when
the trees
bloom in late
April to early
May.
I got the
photo last
week. The
blooms were
mostly over,
but a few
bees were
searching for
those last
delicious
drops.