Silver Maple
Acer saccharinum
Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Not Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 50 to 70 ft tall and 35 to 50 ft wide, fast-growing, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Silver maple is brittle and shallow-rooted, frequent limb drop, surface roots, and short life.
medium water50 to 70 ft tall and 35 to 50 ft wide
Photos
- Photo 1: "Acer saccharinum 001" by Willow is licensed under CC BY 2.5. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/.
- Photo 2: Darkone (talk · contribs)
- Photo 3: "Silber-Ahorn (Acer saccharinum)" by Darkone (talk · contribs) is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/.
- Photo 4: "Silber-Ahorn (Acer saccharinum)" by yetdark is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 5: (c) Jason Sturner, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 6: no rights reserved
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 9
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- low
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Tolerates
- Rain gardens
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 50 to 70 ft tall and 35 to 50 ft wide
- Mature form
- Oval / upright
- Spacing / clearance
- ~50 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Lifespan
- Short-lived
What it looks like, and when
- Fall color
- Yellow
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Soil ChemistryOur alkaline clay locks up iron for this one, so leaves often yellow between green veins and growth stalls unless you treat it.
- Watch: Short LivedFast but not forever; this one runs short lived here, so enjoy it and plan a successor rather than treating it as a legacy tree.
- Watch: SuckersIt throws up shoots from the roots and base, so plan on cutting suckers to keep it from turning into a thicket.
- Watch: Re-seedsIt sets seed freely and plants itself around the yard, so pull the volunteer seedlings unless you want more of them.
Common problems on the Front Range
- Aphids and honeydew
- Verticillium wilt on some species
- Leaf scorch in hot, dry, windy sites
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Silver Maple good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Silver Maple is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Not Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- Why is Silver Maple not recommended on the Front Range?
- The main catches here: Our alkaline clay locks up iron for this one, so leaves often yellow between green veins and growth stalls unless you treat it.
- How big does Silver Maple get?
- It matures to about 50 to 70 ft tall and 35 to 50 ft wide.
- How much room does Silver Maple need?
- Give Silver Maple about 50 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Silver Maple grow into?
- Silver Maple typically grows into an upright-oval crown, taller than it is wide. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Silver Maple hardy on the Front Range?
- Silver Maple is hardy in USDA 3 to 9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Silver Maple need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Silver Maple grow?
- Silver Maple is a fast-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Silver Maple live?
- Silver Maple is relatively short-lived for a tree, so plan to replace it sooner than a long-lived shade tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does Silver Maple turn in fall?
- Silver Maple turns yellow in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Silver Maple native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Silver Maple prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Silver Maple can be affected by aphids and honeydew and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
