Maple, Silver

Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)

A fast-growing maple for broad floodplain landscapes and large habitat areas. Its pale leaf undersides catch the light, but its mature roots and branches need generous clearance.

Key Characteristics

Flowers when the season is just starting

Late-winter to early-spring flowers provide bee forage on suitable days. Seeds and buds are also used by birds and small mammals.

A different choice from sugar maple

Silver maple fits wetter ground and grows quickly. Compare Sugar Maple for a different site preference and traditional syrup-tree role.

Allow room for roots and limbs

Keep it well away from septic systems, small paved spaces, and buildings. Structural pruning while young can improve branch arrangement; it remains a tree for roomy sites.

Product Details

• Native range: Eastern and central North America
• Life cycle: Deciduous woody perennial tree
• Sun: Full Sun; Part Sun/Shade
• Soil moisture: Medium; Medium-Wet; Wet
• Mature height: 50–80 feet; varies with seedling and site
• Bloom time: February–March
• Bloom color: Red, Green, Yellow
• USDA hardiness zones: 3–9
• Fruit or seed: Large paired winged seeds used by birds, squirrels, and chipmunks.
• Pollination: Wind and insects move pollen; flower sex varies among trees.

Planting and Ongoing Care

Water the container root ball before planting and check for circling roots. Water during establishment, mulch clear of the trunk, and protect young trees from browsing and mowing damage. Base fertilizer decisions on a soil test.

Inspect branch structure and storm damage. Avoid topping and protect roots from excavation or compaction. Avoid insecticides on open flowers. Growth, flowering, and seasonal timing vary with the individual tree and site.