sugar maple - acer saccharum
Common Name: sugar maple
Scientific Name: Family: Sapindaceae Genus: Acer Species: saccharum Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8 Height: 40 to 80 ft Width: 30 to 60 ft Description: The sugar maple is often seen in the urban environment but is more well-suited for the forest. It doesn't tolerate salt, small growing spaces, or drought well-- all of which are common in the city. It thrives on moist, well-drained soil. The sugar maple can grow to be quite large and long lived. The stem is often tapped for sap in the early spring and used to make maple syrup. The fall color of the sugar maple is one of the reasons that it is planted so often in urban settings; it is quite striking. Ranging from dark reds to pale oranges, it is one of the trees we think of when we think of fall colors. Image: Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org (bottom right) |