Silver Maple
Acer saccharinum
Also listed as Acer dasycarpum, Argentacer saccharinum
Also known as White Maple, River Maple, Soft Maple
Climate Match for your location
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A fast-growing deciduous tree with delicate, finely-divided leaves that turn brilliant yellow or red in fall. Silver maples prefer moist soil and are commonly planted for quick shade, though their weak wood and aggressive roots require careful siting.
Why grow it
Silver maple grows faster than most other maples, making it useful where quick canopy establishment is a priority. It tolerates wet soils better than sugar maple or Norway maple, performing well in low-lying areas where other shade trees struggle. However, its rapid growth comes with structural trade-offs compared to slower-growing species like red maple or hickory.
Watch out for
The wood is relatively brittle and prone to splitting or branch failure under ice or wind load, so it requires regular pruning and clear siting away from structures. Root systems are vigorous and may exploit nearby drainage lines or pavement; space accordingly from hardscape and utilities. Prolific self-seeding can occur in ideal growing conditions.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Sapindaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A fast-growing deciduous tree with delicate, finely-divided leaves that turn brilliant yellow or red in fall. Silver maples prefer moist soil and are commonly planted for quick shade, though their weak wood and aggressive roots require careful siting.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Silver Maple grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Silver maple grows faster than most other maples, making it useful where quick canopy establishment is a priority. It tolerates wet soils better than sugar maple or Norway maple, performing well in low-lying areas where other shade trees struggle. However, its rapid growth comes with structural trade-offs compared to slower-growing species like red maple or hickory.
Watch out for
The wood is relatively brittle and prone to splitting or branch failure under ice or wind load, so it requires regular pruning and clear siting away from structures. Root systems are vigorous and may exploit nearby drainage lines or pavement; space accordingly from hardscape and utilities. Prolific self-seeding can occur in ideal growing conditions.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Sapindaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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