Description
Latin Name: Acer saccharinum
Common Names: Silver Maple, River Maple, Soft Maple
Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Mature Height: This fast-growing tree typically reaches 50-100 feet (15-30 meters) in height. It has a spreading, rounded crown and shallow, fibrous roots that facilitate easy transplantation.
Soil / Climate: The Silver Maple thrives in medium soil conditions and prefers full sun to partial shade. It adapts well to a variety of climates and soil types, including poor and dry soils. It is native to eastern and central North America.
Notes: The Silver Maple is named for the silvery undersides of its leaves. In early spring, it produces inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers in clusters. These flowers develop into samaras that are approximately 2 inches (5 cm) long and mature by late spring. The bark is brownish-gray and develops flat scales as the tree matures. The leaves are light green on the top and silver underneath, typically around 6 inches (15 cm) wide with 5 deep lobes. While the fall color is not particularly striking, the sap is sweet and can be used to make syrup. The Silver Maple is closely related to the Red Maple and can hybridize with it. It tends to resprout quickly and often grows multiple trunks if not pruned. Due to its rapid growth, it is commonly used as an ornamental tree and makes an excellent shade tree.
Problems: The Silver Maple generally faces few serious issues but can be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, canker, anthracnose, as well as scale and borers.
Wildlife: The tree’s seeds are consumed by many mammals and birds. Squirrels particularly rely on the large, rounded buds as a major food source in spring. The seeds are the largest of any native maple, and the tree also provides nesting sites for ducks and other birds. Beavers find the tree’s bark tasty, and it is browsed by deer and rabbits.
Cold Stream Farm supplies Silver Maple trees which are grown as bare root seedlings and transplants and sold both wholesale and retail with no minimum order.
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