Acer saccharinum, silver maple
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Acer saccharinum

silver maple

Sapindaceae

Eastern North America, New Brunswick to South Dakota, south to Florida and Oklahoma

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height50-80 feet (15-24 m)
Width35-50 feet (10-15 m)
Maturity20 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 9
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Native to North America
Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Acer saccharinum is a large, fast-growing deciduous tree reaching 50–80 feet (15–24 m) tall and 35–50 feet (10–15 m) wide, with an irregular, broadly oval crown and arching outer branches. Leaves are palmate with 5 deeply cut lobes that have coarse, irregular teeth, 3–6 inches (8–15 cm) across, medium green above and distinctly silvery-white beneath; the contrast produces a shimmering appearance when wind moves the canopy. In fall, foliage turns yellow to pale yellow, occasionally pale orange; fall color is less vivid than red or sugar maple. Bark is smooth and silver-gray on young trees, developing into shaggy, scaly, upward-curling strips on mature trees. In late February through March, small red to yellow-green flowers appear in dense clusters before leaf emergence. Paired samaras 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm) long ripen in spring — April through June — earlier than most maples. Growth rate is fast, 2–3 feet (60–90 cm) per year, one of the fastest-growing maples. The wood is brittle; branches and scaffold limbs break readily in ice storms, wind events, and when weakened by decay. Surface roots are aggressive and can lift pavement, damage foundations, and invade drainage pipes. The tree tolerates periodically wet and poorly drained soils.

Native Range

Native to eastern North America, from New Brunswick and Quebec west to South Dakota and Nebraska, south to Florida and Oklahoma. Found in river floodplains, stream banks, bottomlands, and moist forest edges at low to moderate elevations.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a fast-growing shade tree in large residential and park settings where space accommodates the mature canopy and surface roots. Used in wet sites, rain gardens, and stream margins where its tolerance of periodically flooded soils provides an advantage. Its brittle wood, aggressive roots, and large mature size make it unsuitable for planting near structures, pavement, utilities, or in small residential lots. Named cultivars with improved branch structure are preferred over seed-grown trees for landscape use.

How to Identify

Identified by deeply cut palmate leaves with 5 lobes bearing coarse, irregular teeth, and distinctly silvery-white undersides that flash conspicuously in the wind. Bark on mature trees develops long, shaggy, upward-curling strips distinguishable from the interlacing ridges of sugar maple. Small flowers appear in February through March before leaf-out. Paired samaras 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm) long ripen in spring (April–June), not fall. Leaf petioles do not exude milky sap (distinguishing it from A. platanoides).

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height50' - 80'
Width/Spread35' - 50'

Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red
yellow
green

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow
orange

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Blooms late February through March in zones 3–8, with small red to yellow-green flowers in dense clusters appearing before leaf emergence. Individual flowers are 0.1–0.2 inch (3–5 mm); clusters last 2–3 weeks. Paired samaras ripen April through June — among the earliest maple seed dispersal of any species — and germinate rapidly on moist soil.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

red to yellow-green

Foliage Description

medium green above, silvery-white beneath; yellow to pale orange in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-8 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 Range4.5 - 7.0(Acidic)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysiltsand
Drainage
moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15-25 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Establish with regular watering for the first 1–2 years; once established, the tree tolerates a range of soil moisture from periodically flooded sites to moderately dry upland soils. The combination of fast growth and brittle wood creates significant branch failure risk; plant away from structures, vehicles, and power lines — a minimum of 30–40 feet (9–12 m) clearance is advisable. Structural pruning of young trees to develop a strong central leader and well-spaced scaffold branches (years 3–15) substantially reduces the risk of storm damage. Avoid planting near pavement, foundations, or utility lines due to aggressive surface root spread. The tree grows well in wet areas where few large trees succeed. Aphids and cottony maple scale are common; natural predators usually manage populations.

Pruning

Prune during dormancy (November through January) or in summer (July–August). Because wood is brittle and structurally weak, early corrective pruning is critical: develop a single dominant leader and scaffold branches spaced at least 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) apart vertically in years 3–15. Remove codominant leaders and included-bark branch attachments early, as these become failure points at maturity. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches annually on mature trees. Avoid large corrective cuts on mature trees, which introduce decay readily.

Pruning Schedule

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wintersummer

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets
Acer-saccharinum (silver maple) - Identification & Care Guide | PlantRef