Acer saccharum

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling

AY-ser sa-KAR-um

Description

Sugar maple is a fast-growing shade tree with striking fall color in the Sapindaceae family. It is a popular tree in the Eastern U.S. hardwood forest and is one of the trees which is most responsible for giving New England its reputation for spectacular fall color. It is a vigorous feeder and is very easy to grow. Medium to large deciduous tree 50-100'. This tree tolerates heavy shade and can be planted in a lawn. It is used as a tree where compaction and pollution are not a problem. Because of its slow growth rate, it makes strong wood that is resistant to storm damage.

Family name Sapindaceae (formerly Aceraceae)

Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating.

Seasons of Interest:

Leaves: Fall Fruit/Seed/Nut: Fall

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Aphids, borers, and scale may be present. Verticillium wilt, anthracnose, cankers, leaf spot, and tar spot can affect unhealthy trees. Leaf scorch may occur in drought conditions. It can have brittle wood. Roots can crack sidewalks and clog drains and septic systems. Is frequently used as a street tree, but does not tolerate soil compaction, pollution, or road salts well.

Quick ID Hints:

Opposite, palmately lobed leaves
Margin wavy
Lobes 5, entire, pentagon outline

form and fall color Geneva Wirth CC BY-NC 2.0

Acer saccharum — Kent McFarland CC BY-NC 2.0

fall leaves Virens (Latin for greening) CC BY 2.0

summer leaf Virens (Latin for greening) CC BY 2.0

Sugar Maple Trees in fall colors James St. John CC BY 2.0

Acer saccharum subsp. leucoderme scott.zona CC BY-NC 2.0

Attributes:
Genus:

Acer

Species:

saccharum

Family:

Sapindaceae

Uses (Ethnobotany):

These trees can be tapped to make maple syrup.

Life Cycle:

Woody

Country Or Region Of Origin:

North America

Distribution:

Eastern North America

Fire Risk Rating:

low flammability

Wildlife Value:

The seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. The large diameter tree often contains hollows used by wildlife.

Play Value:

Attracts Pollinators

Buffer

Pieces Used in Games

Screening

Shade

Wildlife Cover/Habitat

Wildlife Food Source

Wildlife Nesting

Wind Break

Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):

Storm damage. Fire. White-tailed deer browse twigs and leaves but this tree is moderately resistant to damage from deer.

Dimensions:

Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 100 ft. 0 in.

Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.

Whole Plant Traits:
Plant Type:

Edible

Native Plant

Tree

Leaf Characteristics:

Deciduous

Habit/Form:

Oval

Growth Rate:

Slow

Maintenance:

Medium

Texture:

Coarse

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 pH:

Acid (<6.0)

Soil Drainage:

Good Drainage

Moist

Available Space To Plant:

24-60 feet

more than 60 feet

NC Region:

Mountains

Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:

3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Fruit:
Fruit Color:

Brown/Copper

Green

Fruit Value To Gardener:

Edible

Display/Harvest Time:

Fall

Fruit Type:

Samara

Fruit Description:

Schizocarp with two samaras, large, wings nearly parallel.

Flowers:
Flower Color:

Gold/Yellow

Green

Flower Inflorescence:

Insignificant

Flower Bloom Time:

Spring

Flower Description:

Insignificant blooms in April

Leaves:
Leaf Characteristics:

Deciduous

Leaf Color:

Gold/Yellow

Green

Orange

Red/Burgundy

Leaf Value To Gardener:

Showy

Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:

Gold/Yellow

Orange

Red/Burgundy

Leaf Type:

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)

Leaf Arrangement:

Opposite

Leaf Margin:

Entire

Lobed

Hairs Present:

Yes

Leaf Description:

Leaves are opposite, palmately compound, entire, wavy, 5-lobed, acuminate at vein apices, green concolorous, and glabrate below to few hairs in vein axils. Lateral lobes project further from midrib than basal lobes; thus, a leaf outline is a pentagon. The leaves are a good yellow-orange fall color and light/dark green for some of the year.

Bark:
Bark Color:

Dark Brown

Light Brown

Red/Burgundy

Surface/Attachment:

Patchy

Bark Description:

Bark can have furrows where ontop the bark is dark brown and then below is lighter (nearly a reddish-brown to light brown). Bark color may be light brown, dark brown, or brown.

Stem:
Stem Color:

Brown/Copper

Green

Red/Burgundy

Stem Is Aromatic:

No

Stem Buds:

Scaly

Stem Bud Scales:

Enclosed in more than 2 scales

Stem Description:

Stems are slender. Stems and buds can be green, brown to reddish-brown. Buds are 1/4"-1/2", cone-shaped, acute, and have 4-8 pairs of lateral scales.

Landscape:
Landscape Location:

Recreational Play Area

Woodland

Landscape Theme:

Butterfly Garden

Children's Garden

Edible Garden

Pollinator Garden

Design Feature:

Shade Tree

Specimen

Street Tree

Attracts:

Butterflies

Pollinators

Small Mammals

Songbirds

Resistance To Challenges:

Dry Soil

Fire