Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum · Deciduous broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Sapindaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species type, though cultivars like 'Green Mountain' exist
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8
About This Tree
A large, stately deciduous tree featuring a dense, rounded crown and a strong central leader, famous for brilliant fall coloration and sap used for syrup.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, opposite, palmately lobed with 5 lobes, smooth margins, bright green in summer turning shades of yellow, orange, and red in autumn.
Bark Characteristics
Gray to brown, smooth on young trees, becoming deeply furrowed and ridged with vertical plates as the tree matures.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Northeastern and Midwestern North America
Growing Season
Leafs out in spring, exhibits brilliant red/orange fall foliage in autumn, enters dormancy in late fall
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires moderate, consistent moisture and well-drained soil; moderate drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Height of 60 to 75 feet, spread of 45 to 50 feet, slow to moderate growth rate, lifespan of 100 to 300 years.
Special Characteristics
Renowned for spectacular fall foliage, high-quality hardwood timber, and production of sweet maple syrup.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides food for squirrels and other rodents, nesting sites for songbirds, and browse for deer.