Acer saccharum
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Tried and True Recommended by 4 Professionals
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: sugar maple
Type: Tree
Family: Sapindaceae
Zone: 3 to 8
Native Range: Eastern North America
Garden Location: Martha Love Symington Missouri Native Shade Garden
Height: 40 to 80 feet
Spread: 30 to 60 feet
Bloom Time: April
Bloom Color: Green
Bloom Description: Greenish
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Flowers: Flowers not Showy
Leaves: Good Fall Color
Tolerates: Dense Shade
Uses: Shade Tree

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers fertile, slightly acidic soil. Shade tolerant.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Sugar maple is a deciduous, Missouri native tree which will typically grow 40' to 80' tall (sometimes to 100') with a dense, rounded crown. This tree is a main component of the Eastern U.S. hardwood forest and is one of the trees which is most responsible for giving New England its reputation for spectacular fall color. Medium green leaves (3-6" wide with 3-5 lobes) turn yellow-orange in autumn, sometimes with considerable color variations. Fruit is the familiar two-winged samara. Sugar maples are long-lived trees which grow relatively slowly (somewhat faster in the first 35 years). Native Americans taught the early colonists how to tap these trees to make maple syrup which has now become a multi-billion dollar industry in the U.S. and Canada. Excellent shade tree.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Some susceptibility to verticillium wilt. Leaf scorch may be a problem in drought conditions. Has been frequently used as a street tree, but is generally intolerant of road salt, soil compaction and pollution.

Garden Uses

Excellent specimen tree for the lawn or parks. May be used as a street tree as long as it can be located on a street and in a location where road salt, soil compaction and pollution will not be significant problems.

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