#4
Accession Number: 0004-0000
Common Name: Silver Maple
Latin Name: Acer saccharinum
Family: Sapindaceae (Soapberry Family)
Native Range: Eastern North America
Height: 50–80 feet
Spread: 35–70 feet
Bloom Time: March
Bloom Description: Greenish-yellow, insignificant
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3
Light Preference: Full sun to part shade
Water Needs: Medium to wet
Notes: Tolerates drought, wet soil, air pollution
Description: Silver Maple is named for the silvery color of the underside of the leaves. It is native to eastern and central North America, fast-growing, and rather large, occasionally reaching 100’ or more. It was once common for lawns, streets, and urban landscapes, although it is has become much less popular because the limbs tend to split in high winds or under heavy ice and snow. The gray bark can appear shaggy with age, due to the thin, flaky scales that appear as part of its natural exfoliation. The fall color is generally unremarkable. The tree has sweet sap, although syrups made from it are greatly inferior to those made from Sugar Maple. This explains their similar Latin names, as Acer saccharinum (Silver Maple) and Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple) both derive their species names from the Latin word “saccharo,” meaning sugar.
