ExploreTree

Sugar Maple

Acer saccharum

The Sugar Maple is famous for its sweet sap, which is used to make delicious maple syrup! Its leaves turn bright yellow and orange in the fall.

Habitat: Forests and parks

Appearance

The Sugar Maple has distinctive 5-lobed leaves that turn brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red in autumn. Its bark is typically gray-brown, starting smooth and becoming deeply furrowed with age, making it visually distinct in forests.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSapindalesFamilySapindaceaeGenusAcer

Sugar Maple

Interesting facts

Early Native Americans invented maple syrup by tapping these amazing trees.

It's the official state tree for New York, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Its winged seeds spin like tiny helicopters when they fall from the tree.

Sugar Maple wood is so hard, it's used for bowling pins and basketball court floors!

Special abilities

Sugar Maple can draw sugary sap from its roots to its branches, even in freezing temperatures, helping it prepare for spring growth.

Sugar Maple has thick bark and strong wood that help it survive harsh northern winters and protect against damage.

Sugar Maple can grow a dense, wide canopy, shading out competitors and creating a cool habitat for forest creatures.

Measurements & details

Height: 20-35 m
Canopy Spread: 10-15 m
Is Edible: Yes
Trunk Diameter: 60-100 cm
Lifespan: 200-400 years
Fruit Type: Samara
Growth Rate: Medium
Leaf Type: Deciduous

Ecological connections

eats

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

browses young maple saplings

eats

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Sciurus carolinensis

feeds on the tree's winged seeds

pollinates

Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Bombus impatiens

visits early spring flowers for nectar

shelters

Downy Woodpecker

Dendrocopos pubescens

nests in cavities and forages on bark

Traits

Deciduous

Discover the magic of plants that shed all their leaves during a particular season, often putting on a spectacular show of fall colors first. They get ready for a fresh start!

Broadleaf Tree

Discover magnificent trees that have wide, flat leaves, unlike the needles of pine trees! These are often the trees that change colors beautifully in autumn.

Edible

Find plants that are safe and delicious to eat, offering tasty treats and nourishment from nature's pantry. Always check with an adult before tasting!

Fall Color

Witness the breathtaking transformation as leaves change from green to brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold before they fall. It's a spectacular natural art show!