Silver Maple
Plant Type: Dormant, bare-root
Zones: 3-9
Soil Type: Clay, Loamy & Sandy Soils
Site Selection: Full Sun, Partial Sun
Mature Height & Width: 50-70' Height and 40-60' Spread
Growth Rate: Fast - 12-24" or more per year on average
Moisture Requirements: Dry to average soils
Silver Maple
Acer saccharinum
The Silver Maple is a fast growing tree which is commonly used in the urban landscape. The leaves on a Silver Maple are green on top and a silvery-white color on the underside. A slight breeze makes them shimmer and flutter in the wind. In autumn, this tree displays a short but nice display of yellow color. This maple is a good shade tree and one that does well in the urban setting due to its tolerance of hot, dry conditions and pollution. This tree is a very hardy selection that grows in a wide range of soil types.
The Silver Maple is also known as the Soft Maple.
The Silver Maple is a fast growing maple that can handle the urban environment. It is important to note where you plant these as their roots can cause sidewalks and driveways to crack, and their roots can penetrate sewers and septic systems. Keep these at least 25' away from any areas that could cause concerns.
In the natural landscape, the Silver Maple is commonly found in streamside areas, along lake fringes and in gullies, swamps and slow drainage areas. While this maple tree will do fine in most soil moisture situations, it tends to especially thrive on the constantly moist sites.
Common uses for the Silver Maple include:
- Fast growing shade tree
- Good choice for lower or moist areas of your property
- Riparian buffer plantings
- Used for furniture, boxes, crates, food containers and paneling
- Good wildlife value
The Silver Maple is used by many types of ducks as nesting habitat. This maple produces abundant annual seed crops; the seeds are eaten by many birds, including evening grosbeaks, finches, wild turkeys and other game birds, as well as squirrels and chipmunks. The soft wood of Silver Maple has a tendency to develop cavities which are used by cavity-nesting birds and mammals, providing shelter for a number of species including raccoons, opossums, squirrels, owls, and woodpeckers.