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Southern Sugar Maple Acer floridanum

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Acer saccharum subsp. floridanum
Phonetic Spelling
AY-ser flo-ra-DAY-num
Description

Southern sugar maple is a deciduous tree in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae) and is native to NC and much of the southeast and west to TX. It is found in rich bottomland of the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains.

It may grow from 20 to 60 feet tall with a 25-40 foot spread and a rounded to oval crown with good density. This tree is easy to grow in full sun to partial shade in fertile acidic well-drained soils but tolerates a wide range of conditions. Drought tolerant once established but is not salt tolerant.

Southern sugar maple has shallowly lobed leaves that turn red, yellow and orange in the fall.  The limbs are strong and don't easily break in high winds. Inconspicuous, small, yellow flowers mature in spring followed by winged samaras. 

Use as a specimen, shade tree, street tree or woodland garden. It is a good specimen to plant in hurricane-prone areas due to its strong limbs and smaller size.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Leaves 3-5 lobed, entire
  • Leaf outline a house-shape
  • Leaves whitish, some pubescence below

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems:  Susceptible to aphids, borers and scale. Occasionally has problems with verticillium wilt, anthracnose, cankers, leaf spot, and tar spot. Leaf scorch may be a problem in drought conditions. It has been frequently used as a street tree, but is generally intolerant of road salt, soil compaction, and pollution. See potential insect and disease problem fact sheets to the left.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common maple diseases and insect pests.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#shade tree#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#interesting bark#native tree#green flowers#yellow flowers#samaras#nectar plant#piedmont#spring flowers#fall interest#flowering tree#street tree#small mammals#moist soil#fire low flammability#NC native#well-drained soil#deer resistant#nighttime garden#small and large mammals#native garden#fruits fall#summer interest#spring interest#edible seeds#pollinator plant#Braham Arboretum#fantz#nesting sites#larval host plant#fruits summer#food source summer#deciduous tree#food source fall#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#imperial moth#coastal plant#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#shade tree#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#interesting bark#native tree#green flowers#yellow flowers#samaras#nectar plant#piedmont#spring flowers#fall interest#flowering tree#street tree#small mammals#moist soil#fire low flammability#NC native#well-drained soil#deer resistant#nighttime garden#small and large mammals#native garden#fruits fall#summer interest#spring interest#edible seeds#pollinator plant#Braham Arboretum#fantz#nesting sites#larval host plant#fruits summer#food source summer#deciduous tree#food source fall#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#imperial moth#coastal plant#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Acer
    Species:
    floridanum
    Family:
    Sapindaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Native Americans taught the early colonists how to tap these trees to make maple syrup which has now become a multi-billion dollar industry in the U.S. and Canada. Can be used as a bonsai and ornamental shade trees.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern United States
    Distribution:
    AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, LA, MO, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA.
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed. The Southern sugar maple flowers are visited by pollinators and seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. Early spring source of nectar for bees. Nesting site for squires who also consume seeds as food source.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Edible fruit
    Shade
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Wildlife Food Source
    Wildlife Nesting
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Resistant to fire, wind and ice. White-tailed deer browse the twigs and leaves but is moderately resistant to damage.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 25 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Oval
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    24-60 feet
    more than 60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Samara
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Two-winged samara 3/4" long wings spreading downward at 60-70 degree angle. Matures mid to late summer; June to October in North Carolina.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Catkin
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Small inconspicuous flowers appear in April hang from a long hanging (1 - 2") stalk in clusters of a few flowers. Regular, pentamerous in racemes, corymbs or umbels. In North Carolina, the flowers are available from April to May.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Orbicular
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The opposite simple leaves are 1.5-3.5 inches long and wide with entire margins. They have 3-5 rounded lobes and whitish undersides that are often fuzzy with hairs. The petioles can be reddish. The fall color is spectacular in orange, red and yellows.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Patchy
    Ridges
    Shaggy
    Smooth
    Bark Plate Shape:
    Irregular
    Bark Description:
    Light gray with thick irregular ridges, becoming plated when aged.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Twigs reddish-brown with vertical lenticels.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Nighttime Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Shade Tree
    Street Tree
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Fire
    Heat
    Wind