silver maple
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: * A common North American deciduous tree (Acer saccharinum) known for its rapid growth, distinctive five-lobed leaves that are green on top and silvery-white underneath, and wood that is light brown, close-grained, but brittle.
Usage
- The silver maple is often planted as a shade tree but its roots can be invasive.
- We identified the tree by its characteristic silver maple leaves.
- The lumber from a silver maple is sometimes used for furniture, though it is not as strong as sugar maple wood.
Advanced Usage
- Ecological Role: The silver maple is a pioneer species, often one of the first trees to colonize wet, open areas.
- Horticultural Note: While popular for its fast growth, the silver maple has weak wood prone to breakage in storms and is not recommended for planting near structures.
Variants and Related Words
- Maple (n): The broader genus () to which the silver maple belongs.
- Soft Maple (n): A commercial lumber category that often includes wood from the silver maple, distinguishing it from the harder "hard maple" (e.g., sugar maple).
Synonyms
- (n): The scientific, botanical name.
- Creek maple (n), Water maple (n): Regional common names referring to its typical habitat near waterways.
Related Phrases
- Silver maple leaf: Refers specifically to the distinctive foliage of the tree.
- The forest floor was covered with fallen silver maple leaves.
Noun
- a common North American maple tree; five-lobed leaves are light green above and silvery white beneath; source of hard close-grained but brittle light-brown wood