Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
A large deciduous tree known for its dense canopy of lobed leaves, smooth grey bark that develops furrows with age, and brilliant autumn foliage ranging from yellow to orange and bright red.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and vibrant autumn color
- Water
- Requires regular watering when young, roughly an inch of water per week. Once established, it has moderate drought tolerance, though prolonged dry spells can cause leaf scorch.
- Growth
- A large perennial deciduous tree with an upright, oval to rounded crown, growing to a mature height of 60 to 75 feet and a spread of 45 to 50 feet with a moderate growth rate.
Care instructions
Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-draining, moist soil. Water deeply during establishment and periods of prolonged drought. Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring if growth is sluggish, and mulch around the base to retain moisture.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and vibrant autumn color
Watering
Requires regular watering when young, roughly an inch of water per week. Once established, it has moderate drought tolerance, though prolonged dry spells can cause leaf scorch.
Soil
Prefers rich, moist, well-draining loamy soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 6.0 to 7.3, but adapts well to various soil types provided drainage is adequate.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8
Growth habit
A large perennial deciduous tree with an upright, oval to rounded crown, growing to a mature height of 60 to 75 feet and a spread of 45 to 50 feet with a moderate growth rate.
Bloom season
Flowers in spring before or concurrently with the emergence of new leaves, producing small, greenish-yellow clusters without showy petals.
Propagation
Propagated primarily from fresh seeds that require cold stratification, or occasionally through softwood cuttings taken in late spring treated with rooting hormone.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to verticillium wilt, tar spot, and leaf scorch from drought or reflected heat. Pests such as aphids, borers, and scale insects may occasionally affect the foliage or bark.
Similar species
Norwegian Maple (Acer platanoides), which can be distinguished by its milky sap exuded from the leaf petioles when broken and broader, sharper leaf lobes.