Back Yard Sugar Maple

~ September 1, 2025

As September unfolds, the Maples begin to whisper that autumn is on its way. Their canopies, still lush and green, are already holding the promise of transformation. Soon, the first tinges of gold and red will ripple through the leaves, and the farm will glow in a patchwork of color. There is no tree more synonymous with the changing seasons in our region than the Maple, and each fall we find ourselves looking forward to the brilliance they bring.

In the nursery, Maples are a cornerstone of our work. From the stately shade cast by State Street Maple to the fiery brilliance of the Autumn Blaze, these trees stand as a testament to both resilience and beauty. They grow strong, adapt to a wide variety of sites, and offer year-round appeal, from spring buds and summer shade to the unmatched spectacle of fall and stark, interesting bark in the winter. We grow almost 20 varieties of Acer, both single and multi-stem, and ranging in fall colors of yellows, oranges, and reds. Some Maples, like Deborah Norway and Crimson Sunset, boast a beautiful purple color. While some folks may think Maple is a one-size-fits-all type of tree, we know the diversity within the genus is truly special. 

Beyond their beauty, Maples serve the community in tangible ways. Their dense canopies cool our neighborhoods, their roots hold the soil, and their branches shelter birds and pollinators. In our towns and parks, they create gathering places, whether it’s under a canopy during a soccer game, or down a tree-lined street, there are so many benefits of trees! When we plant Maples, we’re planting memories. One of our family’s all-time favorite trees is the sacred Sugar Maple that marks the centerpiece of my parent’s backyard on the farm. Soon enough, our Sugar Maple will signal to us that fall has arrived, with her top changing color to orange before her whole canopy erupts in vivid color. A favorite pastime of ours is raking up her leaves and jumping in the piles before they blow away – Fern and Benji talk about it year-round! We also tried our hand at sap tapping these past few years and, while we mainly tapped Black Walnut trees since the Sugar Maples in our woods are still a little too young, they offer us a delicious treat come late winter. 

As we walk the rows this September, tending to our trees and preparing for the fall digging season, the Maples remind us to pause. To notice the shift in the air and the way the landscape prepares itself for rest. Fall is a busy season, but also one of abundance and gratitude, made brighter by the Maples that light up our fields and our communities.

~ Maggie Thomas Harper