Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Sapindaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree / Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (Wild type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8
About This Tree
A large, stately tree with an upright, oval to rounded crown. Known for its dense foliage and exceptional autumn colors ranging from yellow to bright orange and red. It is a slow to moderate grower that becomes very robust with age.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, opposite arrangement, 3-5 inches wide with 5 distinct lobes separated by U-shaped sinuses. Medium green in summer, turning brilliant orange, red, or yellow in autumn. Margins are generally smooth or coarsely toothed.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth and gray-brown on young trees; becoming deeply furrowed with long, irregular thick plates or scales that often peel outward as the tree ages.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Eastern North America and Southeastern Canada
Growing Season
Buds break in early spring; flowers appear just before or with leaves; vibrant fall color; dormant in winter.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun to partial shade; requires moist, well-drained, fertile soil. Moderate drought tolerance once established but prefers consistent moisture.
Mature Size
Reaches 60-80 feet in height with a spread of 40-50 feet. Can live over 200-300 years.
Special Characteristics
Primary source for maple syrup production; high timber value for furniture and flooring; world-renowned for intense fall foliage colors; sensitive to road salt and soil compaction.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides seeds (samaras) for birds and small mammals; early spring flowers are important for pollinators; used as nesting sites for various bird species; browse for deer.