 Wyoming is host to an interesting and wide variety of native trees and shrubs. The list includes several native maples like Rocky Mountain, Big Tooth, and Manitoba maples, like the one next to me. Rocky Mountain and Manitoba are the easiest to locate and identify. As one might expect, these species are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves every fall. The fall leaves can range in color from red to bright yellow, making these plants desirable in many landscapes. Rocky Mountain Maple serves an important food source for big game animals such as moose, elk, and mule deer. The small trees also provide cover habitat to small mammals and nesting birds. Look for this plant growing near riparian or forested foothills of northern mountain ranges in Wyoming. The Manitoba Maple is taller than the Rocky Mountain Maple and has larger leaves. Also known as a box elder, this particular tree is found growing near riparian areas in the wild and often in landscapes with supplemental irrigation. Just like their cousin the Sugar Maple, Manitoba maples produce a sap that can be collected to produce syrup. It's hard to imagine that Wyoming is host to native hardwoods such as maple. While not as common as other species, the native maples are a nice addition to Wyoming landscapes. From the University of Wyoming Extension, I'm Tina Russell, Exploring the Nature of Wyoming.