silver maple - acer saccharium

Common Name: ​Silver maple

Scientific Name: 
Family: Sapindaceae
Genus: Acer
Species: saccharinum

Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
Height: 50 to 80 ft
Width: 35 to 70 ft

Description:
The silver maple exhibits vigorous growth. Due to this, it is often not pruned properly when young, and it can have multiple leaders, included bark, and decay columns. These trees, when pruned properly, can be used in the urban environment. They often will grow where very few other trees will and thus offer an option for sites of poor quality. Since they have soft wood and are prone to decay, it is not recommended for these trees to be planted in street boulevards. In the wild, they grow along rivers and on floodplains; this is a tree that likes getting its feet wet.