The Splendor of Sugar Maples: A Fall Favorite

Sugar maples (Acer saccharum) are a beautiful hardwood tree native to central and eastern North America.  In addition to providing sap that is boiled down to make syrup or sugar, sugar maples have stunning orange and red foliage in the fall.  In fact, sugar maples are so stunning that there are guided fall tours to see them all over New England in the fall. 

General Description 

Sugar maples can reach 50 to 120 feet tall with a dense, spreading canopy.  The trees are deciduous, so they lose their leaves in the fall.  Leaves are five lobed with coarsely toothed edges.  The leaves are green during the spring and summer.  In the fall, leaves turn red and orange before they fall off the tree.  Sugar maples have yellow flowers that are arranged in drooping racemes.  These turn into winged seeds that are dispersed by the wind in late summer. 

Optimal Growing Conditions 

Sugar maples grow best in cooler climates.  They do best in the sun but can tolerate some shade.  Sugar maples need moist, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic.  Alkaline soil, high heat, road salt, air pollution, and compacted soil pose challenges to a sugar maple.  Sugar maples grow in dense hardwood and mixed forests in the wild.  

Uses In The Landscape 

Sugar maples are often planted in yards and parks as a large shade tree.  They are the only maple tree grown commercially for their syrup.  Syrup is gathered when the nights are cold and below freezing and the days are over 41 degrees.  The syrup season is very short.  It takes 35-40 liters of sap to make one liter of syrup.  Most trees produce 5-60 liters of sap a year, depending on the variety and the age of the tree. 

Sugar maples have very hard wood that is used commercially to build furniture, bats, veneer, tool handles, and other products that see hard use.  The tree supports insect pollinators, game birds, songbirds, small and game mammals. 

Common Pests And Diseases 

Sugar maples are hardy and do not have a lot of pest and disease problems.  They can get verticillium wilt, anthracnose, leaf spot, cankers, and tar spot if the trees are unhealthy.  Aphids, borers, and scales can infest weakened trees.  During a drought, sugar maples may develop leaf scorch.  When planting sugar maples in a yard, make sure the tree is far enough from septic systems, pipes, and foundations or the roots will cause problems. 

Sugar Maple Care 

Most established sugar maples will not need any special care.  The tree needs to be watered deeply throughout the area under the canopy during droughts.  Sugar maples grow slowly but they are hardy, healthy trees.  Trees do not start showing the beautiful red and orange leaves in the fall until they are sexually mature, which takes about 20 years. 

Planting A Sugar Maple 

Proper planting will set your sugar maple up for years of enjoyment.  Dig a hole twice as wide and a foot deeper than the roots of the tree.  Do not put fertilizer in the hole or it will burn the new, fragile root hairs and can void the warranty on a tree.  It is best to have someone hold the tree even with the top of the soil while you plant it.   

Fill the bottom of the hole with lose soil up to the roots.  Use the soil that came out of the hole for this.  Fill in loose soil around the roots so the tree stays upright.  When the hole is filled, water the soil.  This will make the soil contract as the air spaces are filled.  Put more soil around the tree.  Use any leftover soil to form a small berm about three inches tall around the tree.  This keeps the water over the root zone when you water the tree.  Apply three inches of hardwood mulch around the base of the tree.  Keep the mulch three inches from the trunk of the tree and extending out about two or three feet.  This will help reduce weeds and keep the tree roots moist. 

You will need to water the tree every day for two weeks to allow the roots to get established.  After that, gradually reduce watering until you water twice a week.  You should continue this for the first year of the tree’s life.  Gradually reduce watering until you only water during a drought after the tree is at least two years old. 

Can’t Grow Sugar Maples? Try These Instead 

Some people live in areas that are too hot for sugar maples to grow well.  Two substitutes that can also be used to make syrup are red maples and silver maples.  These trees grow in a wide range of temperatures and soil types.  The sap is less concentrated, so boiling the sap takes longer.  Be careful not to scorch it, or the batch is ruined. 

As landscape trees, both red maples and silver maples look nice in the landscape.  They both turn brilliant colors in the fall, as well.  Plant one for shade in the back yard or for curb appeal in the front yard.  You win either way. 

Order Now 

You can place your order for a sugar maple now.  We ship in the fall or in the spring, whichever you prefer.  We sell trees that are 1-2 inches in diameter, 2-3 inches in diameter, and 3-4 inches in diameter.  Every tree is guaranteed for one year after purchase.  Still have questions?  Call us at 931.692.7325 to talk to our knowledgeable sales staff. 

Sugar Maple Tree - TN Nursery

Sugar Maple Tree

Sugar Maple Tree is a large deciduous tree native to North America. It is prized for its vibrant fall foliage, distinctive five-lobed leaves, and the sap used to make maple syrup. The tree benefits landscaping endeavors, enriching outdoor spaces' aesthetics, ecological balance, and functional aspects. This majestic deciduous tree offers unique qualities that contribute to various dimensions of landscape design. If you have ever enjoyed syrup, you have the tree to thank. Of course, it is celebrated for more than just its ability to create sweet treats. It can also be used to add color to your property or a neighborhood as a whole. What Does Sugar Maple Tree (Acer saccharum) Look Like As with most deciduous families, this one will grow to more than 100 feet tall in ideal conditions. However, it can grow to 150 feet in some instances. It also has a canopy of green leaves during the spring and summer and turns multiple colors in the fall. It also contains flowers and winged seeds that are used to create offspring. How Long Does It Take for Sugar Maple Tree to Mature They will typically take at least a decade to produce fruit, but it may only take a few years to produce flowers. In addition, they will grow relatively quickly, which is why they can be a great addition to private property or public parks. Sugar Maple Tree Root System Is Strong Like others, the Sugar Maple Tree will create a robust root system that can help stabilize soil or prevent erosion. Therefore, it can be an ideal choice in wet areas or on slopes where a landslide could quickly decimate a landscape. In addition to protecting your property, keeping erosion to a minimum can help keep others in your neighborhood or community safe. Support Wildlife By Planting Sugar Maples Trees  Planting a Sugar Maple Tree on your property can provide birds and other animals with a place to live or food to survive. For instance, squirrels and other smaller creatures will eat the seeds, while deer may be interested in chewing on leaves. Some animals may be attracted to the foliage itself or the benefits it can provide other than being a food source for them. How long does pure maple sugar last?  Pure maple sugar has an indefinite shelf life, provided it is kept in a cool, dry place and stored in a nonporous container.  What is the difference between a sugar maple tree and a regular maple tree?  Sugar maple has its name from the sweet sap used to produce maple syrup and brilliant fall colors. It has smooth, free bark, especially when young, and matures at a slower pace into fine-graded dense wood compared to the others.  Where do sugar maples grow best?  In soil characteristics, an ideal location for sugar maple is well-drained, fertile, and with organic matter. It favors shaded, humid conditions and is found in the climate of the Northern Territories USDA zones 3-8, in forest and country regions.  Are sugar maples edible?  Yes, some type of sugar maple sap is edible and is used for making pure maple syrup. Moreover, fresh young leaves of sugar maple trees or plants are consumed either raw or cooked in moderation.  What is the best fertilizer for sugar maples?  A slow-release fertilizer that is best used for sugar maples is one with a nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium combination, such as 10-10-10. It is best used at the start of spring so as to encourage appropriate growth and impressive foliage.

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