Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Aceraceae
Botanical Name
Acer saccharum
Plant Common Name
Sugar Maple
General Description
The great American sugar maple is a beautiful deciduous tree that offers some of the prettiest fall color of all maples. It is widely distributed from the northerly reaches of eastern Canada down to Georgia and Louisiana, so there is a lot of variability in hardiness and the trees are well-adapted to many growing situations; though in the wild they tend to be upland trees. Sugar maple seedlings are also surprisingly shade-tolerant and will grow fairly vigorously in the forest understory.
Sugar maple is an upright deciduous shade tree with an oval to rounded canopy. In early spring it puts forth inconspicuous clusters of chartreuse flowers that develop into helicopter-like fruits called samaras. Its medium to dark green summer foliage gives way to spectacular hues of red, pink, orange and golden yellow in the fall. A well-colored sugar maple has the sunny hues of a summer peach. There are many cultivars that vary in size, form and fall color.
In addition to beauty, these trees offer a sweet treat that’s a true American favorite, maple sugar and syrup. Sugar maples are the best maples for syrup, as their name would suggest. In late winter to early spring the trees are tapped as soon as temperatures begin to warm and the watery slightly sweet sap starts to flow. The sap is collected in buckets and taken to a sugar house where it is cooked down, or reduced, until thick, syrupy and super sweet. There are different grades of maple syrup: The clear mild Grade A (light, medium or dark amber), which is used on pancakes and grade B, which is darker, stronger in flavor and typically used for cooking.
Sugar maples develop the best crown growth in full to partial sun and tolerate a wide range of soil types so long as they are well-drained. They are not as adapted to stressful urban conditions as other maples but will fare well in city yards and parks with ample space for root growth. Soil compaction and root confinement can lead to leaf scorch, leaf drop or stunted, non-uniform growth.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 8
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Sunset Zone
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14
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Plant Type
Tree
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
60'-120' / 18.3m - 36.6m (60)
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Width
40'-80' / 12.2m - 24.4m (40)
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Bloom Time
Early Spring
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Native To
North America, United States, Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States, Canada
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Oval/Rounded
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
Chartreuse
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Fruit Color
Tan
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Yellow, Red, Orange, Gold, Pink, Orange Red
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Bark Color
Brown, Sandy Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
