Maple 'Sugar'
Maple 'Sugar'
Maple 'Sugar'

Maple 'Sugar'

Sheridan Nurseries Ltd.

$29.99
Title

Embrace a true icon of the landscape with the majestic Sugar Maple. Celebrated for its unrivaled autumn performance, this stately tree transforms into a breathtaking pillar of fire, boasting a kaleidoscope of brilliant oranges, glowing yellows, and deep scarlet reds. During the summer, its dense, rounded canopy of lush, five-pointed emerald leaves provides a perfect, cool sanctuary of shade, making it the crowning jewel of any large garden or park.
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Plant Details

Mature Size:

80' H x 60' W

Zone:

3-8

Watering:

Medium to High

Foliage Type:

Deciduous

Growth Rate:

Slow - Moderate

Light:

Full Sun/Partial Shade

Plant Profile

Common Names:

Sugar Maple, Hard Maple, Rock Maple, Sweet Maple, Sugar Tree

Scientific Name:

Acer saccharum

Type:

Native Ornamental Shade Tree.

Growth Details:

  • Mature Size: Typically 40–80 feet tall with a 30–60 foot spread.
  • Growth Habit/Form: Upright with a dense, symmetrical, oval-to-rounded crown.
  • Growth Rate: Slow to medium; grows faster in its first 30 years.
  • Longevity: Exceptionally long-lived, often reaching 100 to 300+ years.

Environmental Needs:

  • Exposure: Best in full sun for maximum density; remarkably shade-tolerant when young.
  • Soil Preferences: Prefers deep, fertile, well-drained, and slightly acidic-to-neutral soil.
  • Soil Tolerance: Adaptable to sand, loam, or clay, but struggles in heavily compacted or poorly drained sites.
  • Watering: High initial needs; once established, it requires moderate, consistent moisture and does not tolerate prolonged drought.

Special Features:

  • Syrup Production: The primary source of high-quality maple sap for syrup.
  • National Symbol: Its leaf is the iconic national symbol of Canada.
  • Hardwood Value: Extremely durable wood used for fine furniture and flooring.
Care Guide

Ornamental & Landscape Value

Seasonal Interest:

  • Bloom: Delicate, pendulous yellow-green flower clusters appear in mid-spring before the leaves.
  • Fall Colour: Spectacular and varied; shades of golden yellow, burnt orange, and brilliant scarlet.
  • Bark: Smooth and gray in youth, becoming deeply furrowed and scaly with age.
  • Fruit: Pairs of U-shaped winged seeds (samaras) that ripen in late summer.

Garden Value:

A premier specimen tree for large lawns and parks, prized for its dense shade and world-famous fall interest. It is a foundational native species for creating a naturalized woodland feel.

Wildlife & Human Value:

  • Wildlife Value: Early spring blooms provide a critical nectar source for bees; seeds and habitat support songbirds and small mammals.
  • Human Value: Provides heavy summer shade; famous for edible syrup production and high-value timber.

Planting & Care Guide

Planting Considerations:

  • Best Time: Fall or early spring is best to allow roots to establish before summer heat.
  • Spacing: Provide at least 30–40 feet of clearance from structures to accommodate its broad mature canopy.
  • Location Tips: Avoid high-traffic urban areas or roadsides where road salt and pollution are prevalent, as the species is sensitive to both.

Care:

  • Light: Thrives in full sun to partial shade; at least 4–6 hours of direct sunlight is recommended for the most vibrant fall color.
  • Moisture: Requires deep, regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged, especially during the first few years.
  • Maintenance: Low maintenance; perform selective pruning during the dormant season (late winter) to remove dead or crossing branches and maintain its naturally elegant shape.
  • Fertilization: Usually unnecessary in healthy soil, but a slow-release balanced fertilizer can be applied in early spring if growth appears sluggish.

Tolerances:

High shade tolerance (especially when young); low tolerance for salt, heat, and urban pollution.

Tips For Success:

Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base (keeping it clear of the trunk) to help retain soil moisture and protect shallow roots from mower damage.
Fruit Profile