September 2016 - Leaf Critters Leaf Critters

The Maple Leaf | What Does a Maple Leaf Look Like?

Here is what the Sugar Maple leaf looks like.

There are many varieties of maple in North America. The main difference between them is that some have serrated (jagged) edges and some have wavy edges. The sugar maple has wavy edges.

Here’s a quick list of other maples you might find outside – along with some of their common traits:

Red Maple – five lobes and jagged edges
Sugar Maple – five lobes and wavy edges
Silver Maple – five lobes – deeply lobed with jagged edges

The first two burst into different colors in the fall – from orange to red, depending on the species as well as the weather. The third category turns yellow.

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The Oak Leaf | What Does an Oak Leaf Look Like?

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Here is what the Red Oak leaf looks like.

There are dozens of oak tree varieties in North America. The varieties are divided into two main categories: red oaks and white oaks but I’ll throw in a two additional categories as well! Here’s a quick list along with some of their common traits:

Red Oaks – have many lobes and jagged edges
White Oaks – have many lobes that are curvy
Willow Oak – has slender, oval shape
Evergreen Oaks – have a plain oval-shaped, smooth shape

With all those differently shaped leaves, you might wonder what these trees share in common? — Acorns! They each bear acorns as their fruit. The first two oaks on this list burst into different colors in the fall – from copper, to yellow, to bright red, and brown depending on the species as well as the weather. The willow oak’s leaves turn brown. The fourth category of oak stays green all year long.