Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum · Deciduous broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Sapindaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type, no specific cultivar identified
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8
About This Tree
A large, stately deciduous tree featuring a dense, rounded crown, an upright and spreading form, and moderate to slow growth rate with exceptional landscape and timber value
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, opposite, palmately lobed leaves with 5 lobes and smooth margins, medium to dark green in summer, transforming into vibrant shades of yellow, burnt orange, and red in autumn
Bark Characteristics
Smooth and light gray when young, developing deep vertical furrows and long, rigid, slightly curling plates as the tree matures
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to eastern and midwestern North America
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring, produces small greenish-yellow flowers, develops winged samaras in late summer, turns brilliant orange-red in autumn, and goes dormant in late fall
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to partial shade, requires consistent moisture and well-draining soil, with low tolerance for prolonged drought or compacted urban soils
Mature Size
Mature height of 60 to 75 feet, spread of 45 to 50 feet, with a moderate growth rate and a lifespan often exceeding 200 years
Special Characteristics
Renowned for its spectacular brilliant fall foliage and as the primary source for delicious maple syrup, alongside producing high-density hardwood timber
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides crucial food and shelter for various forest wildlife including birds, squirrels, and small mammals, while supporting native pollinators during its spring flowering stage