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 Zones 3-8; highly cold tolerant; thrives in cool, moist upland climates.
About This Tree
A tall, stately canopy tree with a dense, oval to rounded crown. Known for its straight trunk and symmetrical branching. Primary source of maple syrup.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, opposite arrangement, 3-5 inches wide with 5 distinct lobes and deep U-shaped sinuses. Medium green in summer turning brilliant yellow, orange, or red in fall.
Bark Characteristics
Young bark is smooth and gray; matures into thick, irregular, vertical plates or ridges that can peel away slightly from the trunk.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Eastern North America (Northeast US and Southeast Canada)
Growing Season
Buds swell in early spring; flowers appear with leaves in April-May; enters dormancy in late autumn after vibrant foliage changes.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun to partial shade; requires moist, well-drained, fertile soil; moderate drought tolerance but sensitive to salt and excessive heat.
Mature Size
60–80 feet high and 30–60 feet wide; slow to moderate growth rate; can live over 300 years.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional fall color; high timber value for furniture and flooring; sap is boiled to create maple syrup; sensitive to road salt and urban pollution.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides seeds (samaras) for birds and small mammals; browsers eat twigs and foliage; high ecological value as a climax forest species; provides significant nesting sites for songbirds.