The Sugar Maple is one of our most majestic deciduous trees known for its breathtaking fall color.

Northern sugar maples selections often struggle in the heat and humidity of the south. Add to that compacted urban soils and the trees can be short lived. Sugar Maples that are native to the southeast often perform better in these conditions.

Sugar maples prefer deep, fertile, well-drained soil and are somewhat shade-tolerant.

Bark: The bark is gray-brown with rough vertical grooves.

Foliage: Leaves are opposite, simple, 3 - 6 inches long and wide. They are 3 - 5 lobed, with deep notches between the lobes. They have a med-dark green color above with pale green undersides. Fall color ranges from yellow, orange and reds.

Flowers: Flowers are perfect, staminate and Pistillate. The color is yellowish, green and hanging in clusters at the ends of twigs. Blooms before the leaves in April.

Fruit: Fruit is a winged samara 1 - 1 3/4 inches long. It is medium sized, somewhat horse-shoe shaped with nearly parallel or slightly divergent wings. Matures in September through October.

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More Information

Tree ID Number:	96
Scientific Name:	Acer saccharum
Mature Height:	60 - 75ft
Canopy Spread (Diameter):	2/3's the height
Branching Shape:	Upright, oval to rounded shape.
Growth Rate:	Slow
Wood Strength:	The wood is heavy, hard and strong. Occasionally birds-eye markings make it even more attractive.
Cold Hardiness Zone:	4-8
Soil Moisture Requirements:	Moist
Light Requirements:	Sun
Common Pests:	Leaf scorch, verticillium wilt, pear thrips and maple decline caused by drought conditions.
Comments:	Sugar Maple is one of the best larger lawn and shade trees. Excellent tree for lawn, park and golf courses. Suffers from extended heat and should be planted away from stressful sites in the south. Also used to make maple syrup. It takes about 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup.

Find this tree on the Campus Map

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