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 50–70 ft tall and 35–50 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 water50–70 ft tall and 35–50 ft wide
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At a glance
- Rating
- Not Recommended
- Botanical name
- Acer saccharinum
- Variety / cultivar
- Silver - all cultivars
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 50–70 ft tall and 35–50 ft wide
- Mature form
- Oval / upright
- Spacing / clearance
- ~50 ft of clearance
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–9
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Lifespan
- Short-lived
- Fall color
- Yellow
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- low
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Pollinator value
- high
- Tolerates
- Rain gardens
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.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
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 50–70 ft tall and 35–50 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 3–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–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 deer-resistant?
- No. Silver Maple is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- 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.
