Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Sapindaceae (Soapberry family)
Tree Category
Shade Tree / Ornamental / Timber / Syrup-producing
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species (Wild Type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-8; very cold hardy but struggles in the heat of the Deep South.
About This Tree
A large, stately tree with a dense, symmetrical, upright-oval to rounded crown. It is famous for its vibrant fall colors and its sap used for maple syrup. Growth rate is slow to medium.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, opposite arrangement; 3-5 inches wide with 5 distinct lobes and deep U-shaped sinuses. Medium green in summer; turns brilliant yellow, orange, or bright red in autumn. Margins are mostly smooth with few large teeth.
Bark Characteristics
Grayish-brown; smooth on young trees, becoming deeply furrowed into long, irregular, thick plates or scales that often peel outward along one edge on mature specimens.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Eastern North America, spanning from Southeastern Canada to the Northeastern and North-Central United States.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring; flowers emerge April to May; enters dormancy in late autumn after brilliant foliage change. Seeds (samaras) mature in late summer.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained, fertile loamy soils. Moderate drought tolerance once established but sensitive to extreme heat and road salt.
Mature Size
Reaches 60-75 feet in height with a spread of 40-50 feet. Can live for 300-400 years with a trunk diameter of 2-3 feet.
Special Characteristics
Primary source of maple syrup; exceptional fall color; highly valued hardwood for flooring and furniture; sensitive to salt spray and soil compaction.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides seeds (samaras) and buds for squirrels and birds. Host plant for various moth larvae. High ecological value for canopy nesting birds and early spring pollinators seeking nectar.