Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
Also listed as Saccharodendron saccharum
Also known as Hard Maple, Rock Maple
Climate Match for your location
See how well Sugar Maple grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A majestic deciduous tree prized for its spectacular fall foliage in brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows, and for its sweet sap used to produce maple syrup. It grows moderately fast and reaches 40–60 feet tall, making it an excellent shade and ornamental tree for temperate regions.
Why grow it
Sugar maple outperforms most other temperate shade trees in dual-purpose value: reliable annual syrup production from mature trees, combined with superior ornamental fall color that persists longer than many cultivars. Its moderate growth rate and ultimate 40-60 foot height make it more manageable than faster-growing species like silver maple, while its wood density and structural form create durable urban and rural landscapes.
Watch out for
Sugar maples exhibit variable drought tolerance depending on provenance and can show stress in hot, dry summers common to lower elevations. The shallow root systems and dense canopy may inhibit understory growth and create dry soil conditions beneath the canopy, requiring supplemental irrigation during establishment in many regions.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Sapindaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
'Autumn Spire' and 'Green Mountain' are popular cultivars selected for superior fall color and more columnar habit respectively. 'Legacy' is noted for drought tolerance and consistent performance in warmer zones.
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
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A majestic deciduous tree prized for its spectacular fall foliage in brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows, and for its sweet sap used to produce maple syrup. It grows moderately fast and reaches 40–60 feet tall, making it an excellent shade and ornamental tree for temperate regions.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Sugar Maple grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Sugar maple outperforms most other temperate shade trees in dual-purpose value: reliable annual syrup production from mature trees, combined with superior ornamental fall color that persists longer than many cultivars. Its moderate growth rate and ultimate 40-60 foot height make it more manageable than faster-growing species like silver maple, while its wood density and structural form create durable urban and rural landscapes.
Watch out for
Sugar maples exhibit variable drought tolerance depending on provenance and can show stress in hot, dry summers common to lower elevations. The shallow root systems and dense canopy may inhibit understory growth and create dry soil conditions beneath the canopy, requiring supplemental irrigation during establishment in many regions.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Sapindaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
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
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar canopy trees you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
'Autumn Spire' and 'Green Mountain' are popular cultivars selected for superior fall color and more columnar habit respectively. 'Legacy' is noted for drought tolerance and consistent performance in warmer zones.