Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Sapindaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-8; highly adaptable to cool temperate climates.
About This Tree
A large, stately tree with a dense, oval to rounded crown. Known for its slow-to-moderate growth rate and exceptional longevity. Produces small greenish-yellow flowers and two-winged samaras (seeds).
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, opposite arrangement, 3-5 inches wide with 5 lobes. Medium to dark green in summer, turning vivid shades of yellow, orange, and fluorescent red in the fall.
Bark Characteristics
Gray-brown and smooth on young trees (as seen in image), developing deep vertical furrows and thick, irregular plates or scales as it matures. Often hosts crustose lichens.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Eastern North America, spanning from Southeastern Canada to the Eastern United States.
Growing Season
Bud break occurs in early spring; flowers appear in April to May before or during leafing. Enters dormancy in late autumn after brilliant foliage changes.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soil. Moderately drought tolerant once established but sensitive to salt and extreme heat.
Mature Size
Reaches 60-75 feet in height with a spread of 40-50 feet. Can live over 300 years.
Special Characteristics
Primary source of maple syrup; exceptionally high timber value; famous for world-class autumn leaf displays; sensitive to soil compaction and road salt.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides critical habitat and food for squirrels, chipmunks, and birds that eat the seeds. Larval host for several moth species. Browsed by white-tailed deer and moose.