Wasowski, Sally and Andy
Acer saccharinum L.
Silver maple, Soft maple, White maple
Aceraceae (Maple Family)
Large
tree with short, stout trunk, few large forks, spreading, open, irregular crown of long, curving branches, and graceful cut-leaves. A large canopy
tree, 75-100 ft. tall, silver maple’s massive, ascending limbs form a graceful,
oval or rounded crown. Plump, red flower buds are visible in winter and the first to bloom in spring. Deeply-cut,
deciduous leaves are silvery underneath. Fall color ranges from yellow-brown to yellow tinged with bright red.
Its rapid growth makes Silver Maple a popular shade tree; however, its form is not generally pleasing, its brittle branches are easily broken in windstorms, and the abundant
fruit produces litter. Sugar can be obtained from the sweetish
sap, but yield is low. Landscape value should be tempered as it becomes a liability with age. Silver maple
sap is only half as sweet as that of sugar maple (
Acer saccharum), but with patient boiling it yields a delicious pale syrup.
Image Gallery:
2 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Tree Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Flower:
Fruit: Green, Brown
Size Class: 72-100 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Red , Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NY , NC , ND , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: NB ,
NS ,
ON ,
QC Native Distribution: N.B. to e. Ont. & MN, s. to n.w. FL, e. OK & e. NE
Native Habitat: Rich bottomlands; moist hillsides; river banks
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Rich, wet to moist, slightly acid soils.
Benefit
Warning: Will cause sidewalks to buckle and drain tiles to clog. Should be considered in areas of poor soils where few other species will survive.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Acer saccharinum is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Last Update: 2012-10-15
