Silver Maple
Acer saccharinum 
Silver maple is a large, fast-growing tree found in bottomlands. The wood is used commercially as a "soft" hardwood. Its rapid growth has encouraged the overuse of silver maple as a shade tree. However, the brittle branches are easily broken in icestorms and windstorms and the abundant fruit produces litter. Special notes: this is one species which should be avoided in yard plantings.
Identifying Characteristics
- Height
- 90 ft
- Spread
- 90 ft
- Leaves
- opposite, simple, 4" - 6" in diameter; 5 lobes, edges coarsely toothed, pale green above, silvery below
- Flowers
- in clusters along twigs, reddish green
- Fruit
- winged seed in pairs
- Bark
- silvery-gray on young trees; older bark gray, breaking into long thin scaly plates
- Associated species
- sweetgum, green ash, river birch, hackberry, pin oak
- Ideal site conditions
- wet soil, partial sun
- Value to man
- erosion, wood products
- Value to wildlife
- food, dens
- Growth Rate
- fast
- Range
