Silver Maple
ExploreTrees
Silver Maple
Acer saccharinum
The Silver Maple has soft, silvery leaves that flutter in the wind. This tree grows fast and loves wet places!
Habitat: Floodplains and riverbanks
Appearance
The Silver Maple has distinct deeply lobed leaves with silvery-white undersides, giving it a shimmering appearance in the breeze. Its bark is smooth and gray when young, becoming shaggy with long, peeling strips as it matures, revealing reddish-brown inner bark.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSapindalesFamilySapindaceaeGenusAcer
Category
TreesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
31
Interesting facts
Its winged seeds, called 'samaras,' spin like tiny helicopters as they fall to the ground.
Sap from a Silver Maple can be boiled down to make maple syrup, just like Sugar Maples!
Silver Maples are super speedy growers, often one of the fastest growing trees in North America!
The tree's name comes from its leaves, which shimmer silver when seen from below in the wind!
Special abilities
Ability
Quick Start Sprout
Silver Maple can quickly sprout seeds in early spring floods, helping it colonize new riverbanks fast.
Ability
Water Whisperer Roots
Silver Maple has shallow, spreading roots that efficiently soak up water from floodplains and moist soils.
Ability
Storm Survivor Branches
Silver Maple has flexible branches that can bend and sway in strong winds, reducing the risk of snapping.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 15-35 m
- Canopy Spread
- 10-20 m
- Edible
- Yes
- Trunk Diameter
- 50-150 cm
- Lifespan
- 80-130 years
- Fruit Type
- Samara
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
Ecological connections
eats
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
Feeds on samara seeds and buds.
eats
Eastern Tent Caterpillar
Malacosoma americanum
Larvae munch on leaves.
eats
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Browses on young shoots and twigs.
shelters
Hairy Woodpecker
Picoides villosus
Builds nests in tree cavities.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Wetland
This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.
Also known as
Silverleaf Maple
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Silver Maple?
The easiest way to identify Silver Maple is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Silver Maple?
15-35 m
How wide does Silver Maple spread?
10-20 m
Is Silver Maple edible?
Yes
How big is Silver Maple?
50-150 cm
How long does Silver Maple live?
80-130 years
Where is Silver Maple usually found?
Floodplains and riverbanks
What kind of fruit does Silver Maple produce?
Samara
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
May 27, 2026
Ridgewood Historic Districti
Photo attribution
no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 27, 2026
Ridgewood Historic Districti
Photo attribution
no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
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