Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Northern Hardwood
Plant Family
Sapindaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Ornamentally Significant, Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species (Wild Type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8; highly adapted to cool temperate climates.
About This Tree
A large, stately tree with an upright, oval to rounded crown. At maturity, it features dense foliage providing heavy shade. It grows at a slow to moderate rate and is widely known for its spectacular fall foliage and sap production.
Leaf Characteristics
Leaves are simple, opposite, and palmately lobed with 5 deep points. They are 3-6 inches long, medium green in summer, turning brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red in autumn. Margins are generally smooth with u-shaped sinuses between lobes.
Bark Characteristics
Young bark is smooth and gray-brown; as the tree matures, it develops thick, vertical plates or ridges that may curl outward at the edges, becoming deeply furrowed in old age.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Eastern and Central North America, from Quebec to Tennessee.
Growing Season
Bud break occurs in early spring; flowers appear with leaves in April-May; seeds ripen in fall; dormant from late autumn through winter.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun to partial shade. Requires moist, well-drained, fertile soil. It has moderate drought tolerance once established but is sensitive to salt and soil compaction.
Mature Size
Typically reaches 60-75 feet in height with a spread of 40-50 feet. Can live over 300 years with trunks exceeding 3 feet in diameter.
Special Characteristics
Primary source for maple syrup; exceptionally high timber value; famous for vibrant autumn coloration; one of the most shade-tolerant deciduous trees.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting sites for various birds; seeds (samaras) are eaten by squirrels and birds; early flowers provide nectar for pollinators; browsed by deer and rabbits.