Acer saccharum seed
LATIN NAME: Acer saccharum
COMMON NAME: Sugar Maple, Rock Maple
The sugar maple is one of the most beloved trees of North America, and it is easy to see why. It grows tall and stately, reaching thirty metres or more, with a broad, rounded crown of large, five-lobed leaves that turn the most brilliant shades of orange, scarlet and gold in autumn, a display that draws visitors from around the world. In spring it bears small, yellowish flowers that hang in clusters, and these are followed by the familiar winged seeds, each pair of keys spinning to the ground. But its most famous gift comes in late winter, when the sap begins to flow, and it is tapped to make the world’s favourite natural sweetener: maple syrup.
The sugar maple belongs to the soapberry family, Sapindaceae, and it is native to eastern North America, from Canada through the northeastern United States, where it is a dominant tree of the northern hardwood forests. It is a hardy, long-lived tree that thrives in deep, moist, well-drained soil and full sun, and it is the tree of the Canadian flag.
Positive & Encouraging Seed Germination Guide
Growing a sugar maple from seed takes patience, but it is a wonderful tree to raise. The winged seeds ripen in autumn and need a period of cold, moist conditions to germinate, so sow them in pots of moist, free-draining compost in autumn and leave them outdoors through winter, or chill them in the fridge for two to three months first. In spring, bring the pots to a bright spot and keep them moist. Germination can be slow and uneven, with seedlings appearing over several weeks, so be patient. Grow the young trees on in pots for a couple of years before planting out in a sheltered spot with deep, moist soil. A sugar maple you have raised from seed will grow into a stately tree and put on that spectacular autumn display for generations.
Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology
The sugar maple has a rich and important record in forestry and food research. As the source of maple syrup, it is the subject of extensive study, and researchers examine the chemistry of maple sap and syrup, the best tapping and processing methods, and the effects of climate and forest management on sap production. In forestry, it is one of the most valuable hardwood trees of eastern North America, studied for its growth, its timber and its role in forest ecology, including its responses to acid rain and a changing climate. Its brilliant autumn colour has also made it a major subject of ornamental research, and it is valued in studies of urban and shade trees. For a tree of such beauty and usefulness, the sugar maple has an exceptionally rich record of research.
Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications
Ecologically, the sugar maple is a keystone of the northern forest. Its seeds feed birds and small mammals, its flowers feed early pollinators, and its vast canopy provides food and shelter for countless species of wildlife.
Its economic value is substantial. Maple syrup is a major industry, worth hundreds of millions of dollars a year, and the sugar maple’s hard, strong, fine-grained wood is prized for flooring, furniture, cabinets and musical instruments. The tree is also one of the most widely planted shade and ornamental trees in North America. For a grower, the sugar maple is a long-term, high-value tree, and for a gardener it brings glorious autumn colour and a tree of national pride.
Acer Saccharum- Sugar Maple-Maple syrup!
Rapid growth.
Height up to 25-25 m.
Ten year old tree is about 16ft tall.
Leaves are beautiful in autumn/fall
from bright yellow to flourescent red -orange.
Their colour can be attractively uneven in fall.
Tolerates shade.
Can grow well in any type of soil except sand.
This is the maple famous for its maple syrup.