Acer saccharum

• BOTANICAL NAME: Acer saccarum
• PRONUNCIATION: A-ser sak-KAR-rum
• COMMON NAME: Sugar Maple
• FAMILY: Aceraceae
• NATIVITY: Southeastern Canada and eastern U.S.,; native in southeastern PA.
• GROWTH HABIT: Upright oval to spreading; 60'-75' (120') tall. Slow to medium growth rate.
• HARDINESS: Zone 3-8
• CULTURE: Full sun but tolerates light shade. Well-drained, moderately moist soil. Intolerant of compacted soil, drought, and poor drainage.
• SUCCESSIONAL STATUS:  Climax
• FACULTATIVE STATUS:  Facultative upland
• LANDSCAPE USE: An excellent specimen. Very dependable, good form, outstanding fall color of yellow-orange to red.
• FOLIAGE: Opposite, simple, 3"-6" long; 3-5 lobes, lobes are pointed and coarsely toothed, sinuses deep, narrow. Flower is greenish yellow.
• BUDS: Sharply pointed, nearly black in color, 3/16" - ¼" long.
• BARK: Brown twig with lenticels.
• FRUIT: Samara, about 1" long. Wings nearly parallel to each other.
• PROPAGATION: Seed, cuttings.
• PESTS: Verticillium, leaf scorch.
• CULTIVARS:
  • 'Bon fire - Rapid growth, good red fall foliage.
  • 'Columnar' - Upright columnar form.
  • 'Globosum' - Dense round globe.
  • 'Green Mountain'- Dark-green leathery leaves
  • 'Sweet Shadow' - Dark-green leaves with long, finely cut lobes