Sugar Maple

My childhood tree, the first I could name. I grew up climbing maples. I saw them as friendly and dramatic. Their bark was kind and ribbed against the skin, and their leaves were not afraid to show a range of emotion, with consistency, with clarity. Maples are easy to spot and name, to know, easy friends, I felt. They were everywhere, many had branches that dipped low for little feet to climb. And their rounded crowns allowed for exploring out into the branches. In the fall and spring some along the rural roadsides would be tapped for syrup. For this too they are always loved.

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Sugar maple bark and leaf compound infusions have been used to treat the eyes and the throat.