A view of the city from the heights of East Van
Directions
Retrace your steps back down to Woodland Drive to go further north one more block, before turning right up 3rd Avenue. Look ahead and up and enjoy the tunnel vision created by our next featured tree. We have chosen this tree not so much for the species of tree it is but for the way in which this particular cultivated variety grows: Our next featured tree: The Armstrong Red Maple.
Maple tree tunnel in Summer
Armstrong Red Maple
Proper Name: Acer rubrum ‘Armstrong’
Common Name: Armstrong Red Maple
Description: Red Maple is a common street tree in Vancouver and comes in various guises. This particular cultivar is often chosen because of its columnar habit, upright with narrow crown. Meaning it will grow up instead of out, keeping the streets free of falling debris.
Defining Feature: Like most maples (although not all) they are easily distinguished by either their lobed leaf shape or by the samaras (the winged seed keys or tiny boomerangs). Armstrong also has a distinctive silvery bark (see below). Think canadian flag to remind yourself of the shape of a maple leaf – although this is actually a Sugar Maple as opposed to a Red Maple – but you’ll get the general idea.
