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Acer, Genus, nigrum, Species,

Genus & species

black maple

Sapindaceae Eastern and central North America

Attracts Pollinators

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 3–8

Overview

Acer nigrum is a deciduous tree closely related to A. saccharum, with which it is sometimes combined as a subspecies. It reaches 60-80 feet (18-24 m) tall and 40-60 feet (12-18 m) wide, forming a rounded to oval crown over a straight central trunk. The bark is gray-black and develops deep furrows with age, darker than that of A. saccharum. Leaves are opposite and usually three-lobed, occasionally five-lobed, 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) across, with shallow sinuses and edges that droop downward. The leaf undersides and stalks carry soft, downy hairs, and the leaf base often bears small leaf-like stipules. Foliage is medium to dark green in summer and turns yellow to orange-yellow in fall. Greenish-yellow flowers hang in clusters on slender stalks in spring as the leaves emerge, followed by paired winged samaras 1-1.25 inches (2.5-3 cm) long that ripen in fall. The tree grows in moist bottomland soils and river valleys and tolerates heavier, drier clay than A. saccharum. It is slow to establish and sensitive to compacted, salted, or root-restricted urban sites, where leaf scorch can appear during hot, dry summers.

Native Range

Acer nigrum is native to eastern and central North America, from Quebec and Ontario south to Georgia and west to the eastern Great Plains. It is most common in the Midwest, in river valleys and moist bottomlands of the Ohio and Mississippi basins.

Suggested Uses

Acer nigrum is used as a shade and street tree and in parks, large lawns, and naturalized woodland plantings. It is grown for fall color and tapped for maple syrup within its native range. Its mature size suits open spaces rather than small residential lots.

How to Identify

Look for opposite, three-lobed leaves 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) wide with drooping edges and soft hairs on the undersides and stalks. The leaf base often carries small leafy stipules, and the bark is darker and more deeply furrowed than A. saccharum. Paired samaras about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long with nearly parallel wings confirm the maple genus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height60' - 80'

Width/Spread40' - 60'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks

Flowers: April–May

Spring

Greenish-yellow flowers appear in spring (April-May) as the leaves unfold, hanging in clusters on thread-like stalks. They are wind- and insect-pollinated and last one to two weeks. Winged samaras follow and ripen from late summer into fall.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

medium to dark green, turning yellow to orange-yellow in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5 (Acidic to alkaline)

3579

Soil Types

loam clay silt

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Acer nigrum grows in full sun to part shade and prefers deep, moist, well-drained soils, though it tolerates heavier clay and short dry spells than A. saccharum. Plant in spring or fall and water regularly for the first two to three years while the root system settles in, as the species is slow to establish. It is hardy in USDA zones 3-8 and withstands cold winters. Mature trees cast dense shade and develop a wide root system, so allow room away from foundations and pavement. Leaf scorch can develop in compacted, salted, or reflected-heat urban sites during hot, dry summers. Mulching over the root zone helps retain soil moisture.

Pruning

Prune in late summer or early winter to limit the heavy sap flow that maples produce in late winter and early spring. Remove dead, crossing, or damaged branches and any competing leaders while the tree is young to develop a single central trunk.