Acer saccharum

Common Names

Sugar Maple, Rock Maple, Hard Maple

Summary

Sugar maple is a large deciduous tree native to eastern North America, with a dense oval to rounded crown typically reaching about 60–80 ft tall and 30–50 ft wide. It has five-lobed leaves that are green above and lighter beneath, turning brilliant yellow, orange, or red in autumn; greenish-yellow flowers appear in spring, followed by winged samaras, and the bark becomes gray-brown and deeply furrowed with age. The tree is a principal source of maple syrup, requiring roughly 32–40 gallons of sap to produce 1 gallon of syrup, and its hard wood is valued for furniture and flooring.

In cultivation, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soils, tolerating a range from acidic to neutral pH, and is hardy in USDA zones 4–8. It is not tolerant of road salt or compacted soils and may be sensitive to heat and drought in urban settings. It is commonly used as a shade or ornamental tree in lawns and parks, and sap can be tapped in late winter to early spring for syrup; propagation is by seed (stratification) or grafting.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

60-75 feet

Spread

30-60 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained loamy soil, slightly acidic (pH 5.5–6.8) and rich in organic matter

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.5–6.8, Slightly acidic

Bloom Color

Greenish-yellow

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green; turns yellow, orange, and red in fall.

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow, orange, and red

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

12–24 inches per year

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Layering, Stem cuttings, Budding, Grafting, Stump sprouting, Root sprouting, Root suckering

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, Butterflies, Birds, Other pollinators