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- Maple, Sugar
Maple, Sugar
At a Glance
Latin: Acer saccharum
Other common names: rock maple, hard maple
A large tree in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), native to eastern North America and widely grown as an ornamental and shade tree. It is commercially important as a source of maple syrup, maple sugar, and hardwood lumber useful in furniture manufacture and flooring. The leaf of the sugar maple is the national emblem of Canada.
The leaves turn red in autumn.
The sugar maple tree may grow to a height of 130 feet. It has a dense crown of leaves, which turn various shades of gold to scarlet in fall. Its three- to five-lobed leaves appear after the greenish yellow flowers of spring.
Zones: 3-8
Mature Height: 75-130 ft.
Soil / Climate: Cold resistant
While sugar maple trees can thrive in a variety of different soil conditions, they'll do best in a mixture that is rich in organic matter, well-drained, and very deep. Because the tree will eventually get very large, it's important to plant it in a spot that will allow its roots to grow uninhibited—you should be wary of nearby sidewalks, home foundations, septic fields and driveways. Additionally, sugar maple trees will grow best in soil that is slightly acidic, with a pH level between 5.5 to 6.8
-Provides habitat for bees
-Transplant Purchase Size: 2-3 ft.
USDA NRCS Species Information