Maple Trees (and our locally native Box Elder Trees) are members of the genus Acer in the soapberry family. Other members of the soapberry family include buckeye trees and goldenrain trees. There are approximately 132 species of maple trees, almost all from the northern hemisphere, with the largest number of species being from Asia.

Maple trees have three commonly occurring genders: male, female, and androgynous (having both male and female flowers). Pollen comes from male flowers, so female trees are much safer for hay fever sufferers to live near.

There is one maple species that is native to Woodland, one that is native to other parts of Yolo County, and seven non-native maple species that are commonly planted by the City of Woodland in our local parks and as street trees. Sadly, the native maple species are nowhere to be found in our parks or among our street trees.

Maple Way in western Woodland is named for our local maple trees.

Native to Woodland

Box Elder (Acer negundo) is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to all of Woodland, Davis, and West Sacramento, and to the entire eastern section of Yolo County as far west as Monument Hills. It is also native to the Dunnigan Hills and to all the section of Yolo County north of them. Additionally, it is native to some portions of the Yolo County foothills, not including the Capay Hills. Box Elder trees grow about 40 to 80 feet tall and about 40 feet wide, with a lifespan of about 75 years. They can turn impressive shades of red, orange, or yellow in the fall. They prefer full sun or partial shade and high water levels, although they can survive sustained surface drought if their roots are able to reach deeply buried groundwater. They prefer poor drainage. Their seeds are the preferred food of the boxelder bug; however, boxelder bugs can also eat the seeds of any other maple tree species or the seeds of various ash trees. Box Elder trees are either male or female, Only the male trees produce pollen, but the male trees are ranked 10 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that they tend to cause very severe hay fever. The cultivars 'Auratum,' 'Rubescens,' and 'Variegata' are female Box Elder trees and are therefore safe, pollen-free options for hay fever sufferers.

Native to Yolo County

Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum) is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to all the Yolo County foothills, including the Capay Hills. Bigleaf Maple trees grow about 50 to 150 feet tall and about 65 feet wide, with a lifespan of about 175 years. They can have impressive fall color if exposed to sufficiently cold winters. They prefer partial shade and high water levels. Bigleaf maple wood is used commercially for veneers, musical instruments, and interior paneling. Bigleaf maple sap can be made into maple syrup; it has about the same sugar concentration as sugar maple sap but a different flavor. Bigleaf Maples have three commonly occurring genders: male, female, and androgynous (having both male and female flowers). Only the male and androgynous trees produce pollen, but the male trees are ranked 8 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that they tend to cause fairly severe hay fever. The tiny hairs on the seeds of this species can be a contact allergen too, causing skin rashes. A Bigleaf Maple was planted in the John Ferns Park nature area in 1979, when the nature area was first built, but it did not survive, and the species was not replanted when the nature area was updated and filled in with new plantings in 2021.

Non-Native Species

Trident Maple (Acer buergerianum) in West Spring Lake Alley near Ortiz Avenue.Trident Maple (Acer buergerianum) is a deciduous tree from Asia that grows about 16 to 60 feet tall. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Trident Maple is ranked 6 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a moderate tendency to cause hay fever. Trident Maple is planted at Charles Brooks Community Swim Center, John Ferns Park, Pioneer Park, Ralph Harris Park, Spring Lake Park, William Crawford, Sr., Park, and Woodland Sports Park. Trident Maples are also planted as street trees on 1st Street, 2nd Street, 3rd Street, 4th Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, Bartlett Avenue, Bliss Avenue, Clover Street, College Street, County Road 102, Court Street, Cross Street, Dead Cat Alley, East Keystone Avenue, Elliot Street, Elm Street, Kentucky Avenue, Lemen Avenue, Locust Street, Main Street, Mallard Drive, Marshall Avenue, North College Street, North Street, Oak Avenue, Pendegast Street, Sports Park Drive, and Walnut Street.

Hedge Maple (Acer campestre) is a deciduous tree from the Mediterranean region. It grows about 50 to 80 feet tall. It prefers full sun or partial shade. The vast majority of Hedge Maples bear both male and female flowers on the same tree, though occasional male or female Hedge Maple trees do exist. The typical androgynous form of Hedge Maple is ranked 6 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a moderate tendency to cause hay fever. Hedge Maple is planted at John Ferns Park.

Amur Maple (Acer ginnala) is a deciduous shrub or small tree from Asia that grows about 10 to 30 feet tall. It can turn orange or red in fall. It is always androgynous (having both male and female flowers on the same tree). It is ranked 4 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a mild tendency to cause hay fever. Amur Maple is planted at Jack Slaven Park. It is also planted as a street tree on 2nd Street and on County Road 102.

A young Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) in Jack Slaven Park.Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) is a deciduous shrub or small tree from Asia that grows about 20 to 30 feet tall. Its form can vary significantly, even in nature, and it has been bred to take on an even wider variety of forms, with different leaf colors and leaf shapes, and an overall form ranging from upright to weeping. It has a compact root system that fits easily into small urban spaces. Most forms of it prefer at least partial shade. Japanese Maples require regular water and excellent drainage. They have two genders: male and androgynous (having both male and female flowers). It is ranked 5 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a mild to moderate tendency to cause hay fever. Japanese Maples are planted at Jack Slaven Park and Woodland Sports Park. They are also planted as street trees on 2nd Street, Court Street, Dead Cat Alley, Elm Street, Oak Avenue, and Pendegast Street.

Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) is a deciduous tree from Europe and Asia that grows about 60 to 100 feet tall, with a lifespan of 250 years in nature but often only about 50 years in urban conditions. It has a large root system that often becomes girdled in small urban spaces, eventually killing the tree. Norway Maples have three commonly occurring genders: male, female, and androgynous (having both male and female flowers). Only the male and androgynous trees produce pollen, but the male trees are ranked 8 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that they tend to cause fairly severe hay fever. They are planted at William Crawford, Sr., Park. They are also planted as street trees on 3rd Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, and East Gibson Road.

Red Maple (Acer rubrum) is a fast-growing, short-lived deciduous tree from eastern and central North America. It usually grows about 70 to 90 feet tall. In 20 years, it might grow to 35 feet tall. It has high water needs and is equally likely to grow in wetlands or in dry areas. Red Maples can turn red, orange, or yellow in fall. They have three commonly occurring genders: male, female, and androgynous (having both male and female flowers). Only the male and androgynous trees produce pollen, but the male trees are ranked 9 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that they tend to cause severe hay fever. The androgynous trees are ranked 8 out of 10. Red Maples are planted at Campbell Park, Freeman Park, Jack Slaven Park, John Ferns Park, Pioneer Park, Ralph Harris Park, Rick Gonzales, Sr., Park, Spring Lake Park, Streng Park, William Crawford, Sr., Park, Woodland Sports Park, and Woodside Park. They are also planted as street trees on 1st Street, 2nd Street, 3rd Street, 4th Street, 5th Street, Bartlett Avenue, Beamer Street, Bliss Avenue, County Road 98, County Road 102, Court Street, Elliot Street, Kentucky Avenue, Main Street, Matmor Road, North College Street, North Street, and Pendegast Street. The cultivars 'Autumn Glory,' 'Bowhall,' 'Davey Red,' 'Doric,' 'Embers,' 'Festival,' 'October Glory,' 'Red Skin,' and 'Red Sunset' are female Red Maple trees and are therefore safe, pollen-free options for hay fever sufferers.

Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) is a fast-growing deciduous tree from eastern and central North America that usually grows about 50 to 90 feet tall. In 20 years, it might grow to 45 feet tall. It prefers full sun or partial shade. It is equally likely to grow in wetlands or in dry areas but has a low tolerance for drought. Silver Maples have three commonly occurring genders: male, female, and androgynous (having both male and female flowers). Only the male and androgynous trees produce pollen, but the male trees are ranked 9 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that they tend to cause severe hay fever. Silver Maples are planted at Campbell Park and Ralph Harris Park. They are also planted as street trees on 2nd Street, College Street, Cross Street, Elm Street, and Marshall Avenue. They have been documented naturalizing along Putah Creek near Winters. The cultivar 'Northline' is a female Siver Maple tree and is therefore a safe, pollen-free option for hay fever sufferers.

Freeman Maple (Acer × freemanii) is a hybrid of Red Maple (Acer rubrum) and Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum). Accordingly, it is a fast-growing deciduous tree that usually grows about 60 to 90 feet tall. In 20 years, it might grow to 40 feet tall. Freeman Maples have three commonly occurring genders: male, female, and androgynous (having both male and female flowers). Only the male and androgynous trees produce pollen, but the male trees are ranked 8 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that they tend to cause fairly severe hay fever. The androgynous trees can rank 5, 6, or 7 out of 10, depending on genetics. Freeman Maple is planted as a street tree on Sports Park Drive. The cultivars 'Autumn Fantasy,' 'Indian Summer,' and 'Morgan' are female Freeman Maple trees and are therefore safe, pollen-free options for hay fever sufferers.