Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Sapindaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Native species (unspecified cultivar)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8
About This Tree
A large, stately deciduous tree with a dense, oval to rounded crown. Known for its symmetrical growth habit and upright branching structure when mature.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, opposite arrangement; 3-5 inches wide with 5 distinct lobes; sinuses are U-shaped (unlike the V-shape of Red Maples); medium green in summer turning vibrant yellow, orange, and red in fall.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth and silver-gray when young, becoming deeply furrowed with long, irregular, thick plates or scales that curl outward with age.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Eastern North America and the Upper Midwest
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring; flowers concurrent with leafing; fruits in autumn; dormant during winter; brilliant fall foliage transition.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soil; moderate drought tolerance but sensitive to extreme heat and road salt.
Mature Size
Mature height of 60-75 feet with a spread of 40-50 feet; slow to moderate growth rate; can live over 200-300 years.
Special Characteristics
Primary source for maple syrup; exceptionally high timber value; famous for some of the most spectacular autumn colors in the plant kingdom.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides critical nesting sites for birds; seeds (samaras) are eaten by squirrels and birds; early season flowers provide nectar for pollinators; high ecological value in temperate forests.