Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Sapindaceae (soapberry family); formerly Aceraceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree / Forest Tree / ornamental / Economic (Syrup/Timber)
Variety / Cultivar
Native species (no specific cultivar identified); visible leaves show typical 5-lobed palmate structure.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8. Well-adapted to cool, temperate climates with distinct seasons.
About This Tree
A large, upright deciduous tree with a dense, oval to rounded crown. At a young age, like the specimen in the photo, it has a relatively smooth and gray bark with upright branching. It is known for its slow-to-moderate growth and extreme longevity.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, opposite arrangement. 3 to 5 inches wide with 5 deeply indented lobes. Light green during summer with a paler underside. Leaf margins are entire (not serrated) unlike Red Maple. Fall color is spectacular, ranging from bright yellow to vibrant orange and deep red.
Bark Characteristics
On this young specimen, the bark is smooth, brownish-gray to gray, and developing slight vertical furrows. As it matures, the bark becomes thick, deeply furrowed into long, irregular, thick plates that often peel outward.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Eastern and Central North America, specifically from Nova Scotia west to Ontario, and south to Georgia and Texas.
Growing Season
Leafs out in late spring (April-May). Flowers appear with or before leaves. Seeds (samaras) mature in late summer. Enters dormancy in late autumn after brilliant foliage color changes in October.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers Full Sun to Partial Shade. It is highly shade-tolerant when young (as seen in the understory of the photo). Requires moist, well-drained, fertile soil. Low tolerance for salt or highly compacted soils.
Mature Size
Reaches 60 to 75 feet in height with a spread of 40 to 50 feet. Can reach 100+ feet in forest conditions. Trunk diameter can exceed 3 feet at maturity. Lifespan is 300 to 400 years.
Special Characteristics
Primary source of maple syrup. High timber value for furniture and flooring (hard maple). Renowned for the best fall foliage in North America. Sensitive to air pollution and road salt.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides critical habitat and food for squirrels, chipmunks, and birds (seeds). Early spring flowers are a vital nectar source for bees. Hosting site for various Lepidoptera larvae including the Rosy Maple Moth.