Silver Maple Tree Facts (Acer Saccharinum)

The Silver Maple Tree is quite common. A fun Silver Maple Tree fact is that they are one of the most common trees that you’ll see in the United States. 

Another fun fact about this tree is that it does have sap in it but it isn’t the sweet sap that you might be thinking of. 

If you have a Silver Maple Tree in your yard, you also may notice that when branches are broken, there is quite an unpleasant odor that comes about. This is a telltale sign that it’s a Silver Maple Tree and not another type of Maple Tree like the Red Maple tree or Sugar Maple tree

Let’s learn all of the Silver Maple Trees Facts!

Silver Maple scientific name

The scientific name for the Silver Maple Tree is Acer Saccharinum.

Silver Maple Tree Identification 

Looking at a Silver Maple Tree, there are several things that will showcase the type of tree it is.

Their leaves are pretty distinctive and they have long arching limbs that are actually quick to break during wind and storms. 

A positive about Silver Maple Trees is that they can grow in terrible soil without issues. 

Silver Maple Bark 

Silver Maple Tree

Silver Maple tree bark is a light gray bark that starts to look “shaggy” as it ages. 

Silver Maple Tree Leaves 

Silver Maple Tree

Silver Maple Tree Leaves will have larger cavities or sinuses and indentations. 

Silver Maple Fall Color 

Silver Maple Tree

During the fall months, the leaves of this Maple Tree turn a beautiful yellow color. 

Silver Maple Buds

Silver Maple Tree

Silver Maple Buds are positioned in a way that gives them the ability to have groups of flower buds. This is because they grow opposite of one another on the branch. 

Do Silver Maple trees have helicopters?

Another fun Silver Maple tree fact is their helicopters. Every little kid, and even adults, can’t help but throw those little helicopters up in the air and watch them spin to the ground. The helicopters start to fall from the trees during the later part of Spring. 

Do Silver Maple trees produce syrup?

While they do have syrup, it’s not something that is typically used because it’s a process to tap and the syrup is not sweet like the Sugar Maple Tree.

If you’re trying to produce maple syrup from the Silver Maple Tree, you actually have to boil off the water to even get to the sugar part of it and that results in very little syrup.

Planting a Silver Maple tree

Fall is going to be one of the best time to plant a Silver Maple Tree but you can honestly do it anytime out of the year. 

Make certain that you dig a whole that is at least 2-3 feet deep and do so in an area that gets full sun and can easily drain the soil. 

A Silver Maple Tree can grow anywhere from 3-7 feet every single year which is very fast growth for a tree. 

Where do Silver Maple trees grow?

These types of trees do really well in wetlands or wet soil areas like rivers, etc. Since they can do well in poor soil, they can grow a wide variety of places. 

Silver Maple growth rate 

The Silver Maple Tree is a quicker growing tree. There are some that grow up to 12 feet in a 5 year period. 

The height of a Silver Maple Tree can actually be up to 80 feet tall as well. 

Silver Maple root system

The root system of a Silver Maple Tree is strong and can actually cause harm to sidewalks, homes and pipes. This is definitely something to consider when picking a spot to plant a Silver Maple tree. 

How long do Silver Maple trees live? 

On average, a Silver Maple Tree can live anywhere from 50-60 years in less than stellar soil and up to 100 years in soil that is good for their needs. 

Silver Maple Tree Diseases and Problems

Silver Maple Trees do have their fair share of problems to consider. When it comes to maintenance, they are a higher maintenance tree. This means that if there are storms or high wind, branches are going to break off easily. 

One of the main diseases that you should be aware of is anthracnose which could be quite serious for the tree during the rainy months of the year.

Silver Maple Tree Facts Conclusion:

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning these Silver Maple Tree Facts!

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Silver Maple Tree Facts

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