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Sugar Maple   arrow

Acer saccharum (ay’-sir sak-kar’-um)
Family: Sapindaceae, Soapberry


Key Steps


Description

Sugar Maple LealfLeaf: Bright green above, paler beneath. Lobes are almost smooth, few teeth, and the petiole does not yield a milky sap.

Bud: Slender, sharp pointed and brown. Six to eight paris of scales.

Leaf Scar: Narrow, crescent-shaped. Hair along upper edge of scar.

Stem: Glossy brown. Small lenticles.

Bark: Dark gray to grayish-brown.

Pith: Round, pale, solid.

Flower: Yellowish-green, 1-3 inches long panicles, blooming before leaves appear.

Fruit: Horseshoe-shaped double samara.

Habit: Large, dense shade tree. Spreading branches. 50 feet tall by 30 foot spread. Oval to round. Slow growing.

Culture: Prefers slightly acidic, well-drained soil and moderate moisture requirement. Typically show iron chlorosis (yellowing of leaf with veins remaining green) in alkaline soils. Leaves are susceptible to wind (leaf scorch) and hail damage.


Resources

Colorado Master Gardener
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