Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
A large deciduous tree known for its dense, rounded canopy, opposite, simple leaves with five lobes, and brilliant autumn foliage ranging from yellow to orange and 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 moderate and consistent moisture, especially when young. Adult trees tolerate short dry periods but prefer regular deep watering during extended drought.
- Growth
- Perennial large deciduous tree with an upright, oval to rounded crown, reaching a mature height of 60 to 75 feet and a spread of 45 to 50 feet with a moderate growth rate
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade with consistently moist, well-draining soil. Water deeply during dry spells and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring if growth is slow.
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 moderate and consistent moisture, especially when young. Adult trees tolerate short dry periods but prefer regular deep watering during extended drought.
Soil
Prefers rich, moist, well-draining loamy soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 6.0 to 7.3
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8
Growth habit
Perennial large deciduous tree with an upright, oval to rounded crown, reaching 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 mid-spring with small, greenish-yellow clusters appearing alongside or just before the new leaves emerge
Propagation
Propagated primarily from seeds sown outdoors in autumn for natural stratification, or via softwood cuttings treated with rooting hormone in late spring
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to verticillium wilt, tar spot, and leaf scorch during hot, dry weather. Pests include aphids, borers, and scale insects, which can be managed with appropriate horticultural oils or systemic treatments.
Similar species
Norway Maple (Acer platanoides), which can be distinguished by its milky sap exuded from broken leaf petioles and broader leaf lobes.