Silver Maple
Acer saccharinum
A fast-growing native shade tree prized for its rapid establishment and graceful, drooping branches. The silvery undersides of its deeply lobed leaves create a shimmering effect in the breeze, while its adaptability to various soil conditions makes it a reliable choice for quick shade. Though fast-growing trees often sacrifice longevity, the Silver Maple's impressive size and beautiful fall color make it a popular landscape staple.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
3–9
USDA hardiness
Height
50-80 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Silver Maple in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 shade-tree →Zone Map
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Silver Maple · Zones 3–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasional Flooding, Occasionally Dry, Occasionally Wet. Water: AY-ser sak-kar-EYE-num. Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 80 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 40 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Samara, not ornamentally important. Wings spreading at an 80 to 90-degree angle. In NC fruit is available in late spring to summer.
Color: Green. Type: Samara. Length: 1-3 inches.
Harvest time: Spring, Summer
Bloom time: Spring, Winter
Edibility: Sap can be used to make syrup
History & Origin
Origin: Eastern and central North America
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Compaction, Drought, Dry Soil, Heat, Pollution, Poor Soil, Wet Soil
- +Attracts: Butterflies, Moths, Pollinators, Small Mammals, Songbirds
- +Wildlife value: Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed. Early spring source of nectar for bees. Seeds are eaten by squirrels, chipmunks and birds. Buds are eaten by squirrels after the seeds have sprouted.
- +Edible: Sap can be used to make syrup
- +Fast-growing
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Hosta
Thrives in dappled shade and complements the maple's root system without competition
Ferns
Excellent shade tolerance and helps retain soil moisture under the canopy
Astilbe
Enjoys partial to full shade and adds colorful blooms under the maple
Coral Bells
Tolerates shade well and provides year-round foliage interest
Wild Ginger
Native groundcover that thrives in maple shade and prevents soil erosion
Bloodroot
Spring ephemeral that blooms before maple leafs out, then goes dormant
Lungwort
Shade-loving perennial that provides early nectar for pollinators
Pachysandra
Dense groundcover that suppresses weeds and tolerates dry shade
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to maple trees and inhibits their growth
Roses
Require full sun and well-drained soil, will struggle in maple's dense shade
Tomatoes
Need full sun and compete poorly with maple's extensive shallow root system
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Susceptible to leaf scorch, verticillium wilt, and various canker diseases
Common Pests
Aphids, scale insects, borers, bagworms
Diseases
Leaf scorch, verticillium wilt, anthracnose, tar spot