Acer saccharum

Sugar Maple

Sugar maple has a dense, rounded crown and is one of the trees responsible for giving New England its reputation for spectacular fall color, as the medium green leaves turn brilliant yellow or red-orange in autumn. The familiar two-winged "helicopter" fruit is a favorite food of chipmunks, and they store it away in winter larders. This is a long-lived tree that grows relatively slowly.

Benefits:

• Birds and other mammals eat the seeds


• Provides excellent cover and nest sites for all types of birds


• Excellent shade tree


• Outstanding fall color

Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips

Plant in full sun to part shade. Tolerates shade well.

Prefers well-drained, moderately moist, fertile soil.

Excessively dry soil This is a big tree so give it plenty of room to reach full size.

Height 60-70 Feet

Spread 50-60 Feet

Native Range Rich woods of Eastern North America, especially on limestone; Nova Scotia to Minnesota and eastern South Dakota to Missouri and Virginia, and in the mountains to Georgia. Distribution Maps by State and County

Native Trivia //plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ACSA3" target="_blank"Distribution Map

USDA Hardiness Zone 4-8

"This big stately tree provides ideal nesting sites for me and my bird friends."

Characteristics & Attributes

Plan Sub Group • Deciduous Trees	Exposure • Sun • Shade • Filtered Shade	Soil • Well-drained	Soil Moisture Preference • Moist • Average • Moist but well-drained
Attracts Wildlife • Songbirds • Mammals	Bloom Time • Early Spring	Habitat Collection • Songbird	Native Habitat • Forest
Foliage Color • Green	Uses • Specimen