Rounded, dense and large shade tree. Pale yellow haze of flowers in spring. Fall color ranges from bright yellow, burnt orange to red tones. Fruit is the typical maple ‘helicopters’ which mature in Sept./Oct. Long-lived.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
Plant Type: Trees
Native Environment: Forest
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June), Late (July - frost)
Main Color: Green
Fall Color: Orange, Red, Yellow
USDA PLANTS Range Map
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Sun ExposureÂ
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade

Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate

Nature Attracting
Pollinators/Beneficial Insects

Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Host, Butterfly / Moth Nectar, Cover, Food/Small Animals, Nesting

Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
40 to
75
feet
Spread:
50 to
60
feet
Size
Height: 40 to
75
feet
Spread: 50 to
60
feet
Size
Height: 40 to
75
feet
Spread: 50 to
60
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Fantastic shade tree if given ample room to grow.Source of maple syrup, sap is tapped in Feb. or March and is boiled down to make the syrup. Wood is fanastic for furniture and flooring. Also used to mellow 'Jack Daniels' whiskey!
Establishment and Care Instructions
Transplants well when young. Adaptable. Needs lots of space to grow! Can tolerate shade, although best growth and fall color if grown in the sun. Moderate growth rate. Very difficult to grow plants under maples due to fine, dense shallow roots.
Special Features
Special Usage
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.