Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

Sugar Maple

(Acer saccharum)

Superior National Forest

CC BY 2.0

Image By: Superior National Forest

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Superior National Forest | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 | Uploader: File Upload Bot (Magnus Manske) | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Acer_saccharum_1-jgreenlee_(5098070608).jpg | Notes: {{Information |description={{en|Cherry-plum (''Prunus cerasifera'')}} |date=2021-06-26 |source=https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/139019955 |author=[https://www.inaturalist.org/users/3599717 Michel Langeveld] |permissio

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Acer saccharum, commonly known as Sugar Maple, is a deciduous tree native to the hardwood forests of Southeastern Canada, the Eastern USA, and prefers rich, moist, well-drained soils often found in these regions. It is also present in mountainous regions of Mexico and Guatemala, though less commonly. This species typically grows to 25–35 m (80–115 ft.) and is known for its dense, rounded crown and vibrant fall foliage, which can range from bright yellow to fluorescent red-orange. The Sugar Maple’s bark is smooth and gray on young trees, becoming darker and furrowed with age.

The Sugar Maple is celebrated for its spectacular autumn color and is a popular choice for urban planting, parks, and large gardens. It is also valued for its sap, which is used to produce maple syrup. While it is fairly fast-growing and was once a favorite street tree, it is now known to be intolerant of urban pollution, including road salt, which can limit its use in street plantings. The tree’s shallow, fibrous roots can compete with turfgrass, making it less suitable for lawns. It thrives in full sun to part shade and requires medium amounts of water. Sugar Maples are not drought-tolerant and can suffer from leaf scorch in dry, windy conditions. They are also susceptible to pests such as the Asian longhorned beetle and diseases like verticillium wilt.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Tree
Height: 60-100 feet
Width: 30-60 feet
Growth Rate: Slow
Flower Color: N/A
Flowering Season: Spring
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Fast, Medium

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant

Natural Habitat

Hardwood forests of Southeastern Canada and the Eastern USA, preferring rich, moist, well-drained soils

Other Names

Common Names: Hard Maple, Rock Maple, Sugar Tree, Sweet Maple, Curly Maple, Birds-Eye Maple, Zucker-Ahorn, Érable Franc, Érable Franche, Érable À Sucre

Scientific Names: , Acer saccharum, Acer saccharum var. saccharum, Acer saccharophorum f. angustilobatum, Acer saccharum f. villosum, Acer subglaucum, Acer saccharophorum var. subvestitum, Acer saccharum f. subvestitum, Acer saccharum f. conicum, Acer saccharum var. glaucum

GBIF Accepted Name: Acer saccharum Marshall