The Sugar Maple is a large, moderate to slow growing, long-lived deciduous tree. It is one of the giants of the forest providing abundant shade and beautiful full foliage. Sugar Maple has deeply furrowed gray bark which turns almost black when wet. Its leaves are medium green, opposite, palmately lobed (3 to 6 inches wide with 3 to 5 lobes) turning brilliant yellow, orange and red in autumn. Fruit are two-winged horseshoe-shaped samaras about 1 inch long, appearing in clusters, brown when mature in the fall. Sugar Maple grows about 1 foot each year in most soils, but is sensitive to reflected heat and to drought, turning the leaves brown (scorch) along their edges. It is more drought tolerant in open areas were the roots can proliferate into a large soil space. Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers fertile, slightly acidic soil. Shade tolerant.
Crown Height: 40 to 70 feetCrown Width: 35 to 60 feet
Cold Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zone: 3Ato 8A
Culture: The limbs of sugar maple trees are usually strong and not susceptible to wind damage. The bark forms attractive bright gray plates which stand out, especially during the winter. Roots are often shallow and reach the surface at an early age, even in sandy soil. Plant in an area where grass below it will not need to be mowed so the roots will not be damaged by the mower.