Silver Maple
Acer saccharinum · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood (though relatively soft for a maple)
Plant Family
Sapindaceae (Maple family)
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Fast-Growing Specimen
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species (likely a wild-type or 'Silver Queen' based on form)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-9; highly adaptable to various climatic extremes across North America.
About This Tree
A large, fast-growing deciduous tree with an open, spreading crown. Often develops multiple trunks or low-branching habits. Known for its 'airy' foliage that shimmers in the wind.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, deeply 5-lobed leaves with narrow sinuses and serrated margins. Bright green on top and silvery-white on the underside. Opposite arrangement.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth and silvery-gray when young, becoming gray-brown and breaking into long, thin, scaly plates or shaggy strips as it matures.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Eastern North America (Eastern United States and Southeast Canada)
Growing Season
Early bloomer in late winter/early spring; seeds (samaras) drop in late spring; enters dormancy in late autumn after turning yellow.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; high water needs. Extremely tolerant of wet soils and occasional flooding; moderate drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Height: 50-80 feet; Spread: 35-50 feet; Growth rate: Fast (often 2+ feet per year). Lifespan: 80 - 100 years.
Special Characteristics
Noted for its rapid shade production and ability to grow in poor, wet soils. Foliage turns a pale yellow or occasionally orange in the fall. Wood is brittle and prone to storm damage.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides early nectar for bees; seeds are a food source for squirrels, birds, and chipmunks. Frequently used as a nesting site for cavity-dwelling birds like wood ducks and owls.