Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
The iconic maple tree that defines autumn in North America with its spectacular yellow, orange, and red fall display. Known for producing the finest maple syrup, sugar maples are slow-growing but long-lived trees that create dense, cooling shade. Their symmetrical oval shape and reliable fall color make them one of the most sought-after landscape trees.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
3–8
USDA hardiness
Height
40-120 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Sugar Maple in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 shade-tree →Zone Map
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Sugar Maple · Zones 3–8
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 120 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 30 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 24-60 feet, more than 60 feet. Growth rate: Slow. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Layering, Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruit is U-shaped, paired, papery-winged samara that averages 1 inch in length. Color is green maturing to brown. Available from June to September in North Carolina.
Color: Brown/Copper, Green. Type: Samara. Length: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Edibility: Sap used for maple syrup
History & Origin
Origin: Eastern and central North America
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer
- +Attracts: Sap used for maple syrup
- +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. The seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. The cavities are utilized by cavity-nesting birds. Deer and moose browse the stems and leaves. Porcupines consume the bark and can girdle the upper stem. Butterflies and other pollinating insects enjoy the nectar from the flowers.
- +Edible: Sap used for maple syrup
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Wild Ginger
Thrives in maple's shade and helps suppress weeds while providing ground cover
Trillium
Natural woodland companion that flourishes under maple canopy and attracts beneficial pollinators
Hostas
Shade-loving perennials that complement maple's understory and help retain soil moisture
Ferns
Create natural forest floor ecosystem and thrive in the filtered light and acidic soil conditions
Astilbe
Tolerates shade well and adds colorful blooms while benefiting from maple's leaf litter
Coral Bells
Shade-tolerant perennial that adds foliage color and texture beneath maple canopy
Wild Columbine
Native woodland flower that attracts hummingbirds and thrives in partial shade
Mayapple
Woodland native that forms colonies under maples and helps create natural forest understory
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone which is toxic to maples and can cause stunted growth or death
Kentucky Coffee Tree
Competes aggressively for nutrients and water, and its large size can overwhelm young maples
Norway Maple
Creates dense shade that suppresses sugar maple seedlings and outcompetes for resources
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Moderate resistance, sensitive to salt and pollution
Common Pests
Asian longhorned beetle, maple borers, aphids
Diseases
Verticillium wilt, tar spot, leaf scorch