Sugar maple
Acer saccharum 路 Sapindaceae 路 also Hard maple, Rock maple
A large, dense, oval shade tree with gray-brown bark that furrows into plates and five-lobed leaves that turn brilliant yellow, orange and red in fall, often all on one tree. Paired winged seeds ripen in late summer. It was a classic street tree but declined in cities because it cannot take road salt, pollution, heat or compacted soil, so today it is best in lawns, parks and larger yards where its shallow roots will not fight pavement.
Where it stands
Native
Recommended
- 馃嚚馃嚘 Toronto, ON, Canada 路 On Toronto's list of species planted on streets (native to Ontario).source
Care
Transplants well; plant in moist, well-drained soil in sun or part shade and water deeply through the first two summers. Avoid spring pruning because maples bleed sap; prune in summer or when fully dormant. Watch for verticillium wilt, tar spot, anthracnose, leaf scorch in drought, aphids, scale and borers.
Benefits
Good for