Sugar Maple Tree

What are Sugar Maple Trees known for?

Known for producing maple syrup, the Sugar Maple, acer saccharum, is also a beautiful hard wood tree that provides great shade. Native to North America, the deciduous Sugar Maple is beloved for its splendid fall foliage and graceful form. It is one of the trees responsible for the stunning fall color found throughout the New England and Midwestern states every autumn.

With a height between 40 and 80 feet and medium-sized green leaves, Sugar Maples are often used in municipal parks both for their shade and beauty. The leaves turn splendid hues of yellow, orange, and red.

The Sugar Maple’s iconic leaf shape graces the flag of Canada. It is the state tree for the green mountain state of Vermont, as well as New York, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.

Producing Maple Syrup

The sap of the Sugar Maple is higher in sugar content than other trees, including other maples, giving a better yield of syrup for the sap that is collected. Native Americans were the first people to tap Sugar Maples to produce maple syrup. The sap is typically harvested at the end of winter when daytime temperatures are warmer but nighttime temperatures are still below freezing.

One large tree can produce enough sap to make a small batch of syrup, but multiple trees might be preferred by those who wish to produce a lot of syrup on an annual basis.

Maple syrup can be further boiled to produce maple sugar. Maple syrup contains several minerals, including manganese, zinc, copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium.

Popularity with Woodworkers

These trees are valued by homesteaders both for their sap and the long-term value of their wood. Used for making the lanes in bowling alleys, bowling pins, and tool handles, the wood is known for its durability. It is also used for furniture, counter tops, and flooring because of its lovely light golden color and ability to take a high polish with a smooth finish.

Growing Sugar Maples

Sugar Maples are cold-hardy. They grow rather slowly and can live over a hundred years. See below for soil conditions and sun requirements and sizing and spacing.

Buy Sugar Maple trees for your lawn, field, or forest, and enjoy their spectacular fall colors, delicious syrup, precious hard wood, and cooling summer shade. They are an heirloom tree to pass on to future generations.