Maple Trees

Maple trees are one of the most popular types of trees throughout the United States and Canada! Maple trees are known not only for the syrup they produce but for their beautiful, leafy canopies and brilliantly bright fall foliage.

If you want to plant a maple tree in your yard or garden, there is no need to purchase a sapling or young maple tree – you can grow a maple tree from just a seed. 

As long as you are adequately prepared with the right knowledge to help you cultivate your maple tree from day one, you can grow a fully mature maple tree from just one seed.

Read on for four simple steps to growing a maple tree from a seed, including some pointers about which type of maple tree to choose, how to plant the seed, and how to care for your maple tree well into its adult life!

1. Choose A Type Of Maple Tree

There are a number of different varieties of a maple tree, including some of the more popular like the sugar maple, red maple, and silver maple.

Which type you choose depends on what you’re looking for your tree to provide!

Let’s take a look at a few different examples to give you an idea of what might work best in your yard. 

Growing Sugar Maple Trees From Seed

The sugar maple is identified by leaves with sparse teeth, a pale green color on the underside of the leaves, and a greenish-yellow flower that grows at the same time as spring leaf growth. 

Sugar maple leaves turn yellow, red, or dark orange in autumn, and these trees are known for their beautiful fall foliage.

Sugar maples can grow to as high as 75 feet with a canopy that can be 50 feet wide when the trees are fully grown. 

Sugar Maples Grow Slowly

One potential downside of planting a sugar maple tree from a seed is that the sugar maple is a fairly slow-growing tree, growing only a foot or two per year.

But if you are not in a hurry to see a mature sugar maple tree, this might work well for you, giving you lots of time to enjoy the tree’s growth and make sure it is in the right spot, as you can move it more easily the smaller it is.

Sugar Maples Like Humidity

Like most varieties of a maple tree, the sugar maple prefers a lot of sun, though in super hot and dry climates, it might grow better as a sapling with some afternoon shade.

Sugar maple trees prefer to live in climates that are cool and experience a good deal of rain and humidity, so this tree variety may not be ideal for the southwestern states, which are normally very sunny, dry, and often hot. 

Sugar Maples Make Great Shade Trees

Sugar maples make great shade trees, so if this is part of your desire to plant a tree, this might be the right variety for you.

The sugar maple grows abundant leaves, making the space under the tree very shady in all seasons except winter, and the number of leaves when they start to change color makes for a beautiful display of fall foliage. 

If it’s shade you’re looking for, maple trees are some of the best. In fact, we listed 6 more reasons maple trees make amazing shade trees!

And, lastly, sugar maples do live up to their name, producing a sweet sap that can be used to make maple syrup.

While you probably don’t plan to collect the maple sap from your tree and eat it, it’s good to be aware that it is there, as it can leak if the tree breaks or you cut a branch from it. So, in that case, be prepared with a bucket or container to catch sap so you don’t end up with a lot of sticky syrup in your yard!

For Fall Color Choose A Red Maple Tree

Red maple trees are named for the brilliant red color their leaves turn in the fall. This bright autumn foliage is a draw for many people who travel many miles to see leaves changing color in the fall.

There are sub-varieties of red maples, such as the aptly named Autumn Blaze maple tree, which looks as though its leaves are a bright, colorful fire throughout the autumn months. 

Red maples are particularly plentiful in the northeast United States, where their bright fall colors are well-known. In fact, while it might seem like continued development of areas of the U.S. in the past decades would have meant fewer trees, the population of red maple trees in the northeast has grown quite a bit during the twentieth century. 

Red Maples Do Well In Urban Environments

Also, red maples are among the species of trees that have been found to do well in urban environments, so this tree can work very well for a yard in a more populated city. 

While red maples are frequently found in New England and surrounding parts of the country, they can be planted in most gardening zones provided they have the right initial planting conditions and are planted at the right time of year.

If you are interested in planting a maple tree with particularly brilliant fall leaves, a variety of red maple might be right for you. 

Planting A Silver Maple Tree

Silver maple trees are fast-growing and they do best in very moist soil, so keep that in mind if you live in a dry climate.

Like most maple trees, the silver maple can be grown in a number of environments, but it may not do well in a dry, hot climate, and it will need special care anywhere that is not naturally rainy with a lot of cooler or even cold weather.

Silver maple trees grow quickly, and they can grow to be as tall as 80 feet. Like other maples, they are great to plant as shade trees. If you do decide to grow this variety, bookmark our guide on the best places to plant sugar maple trees.

Silver Maples Have Beautiful Colors

Silver maples earned their name because of the silvery color found on the underside of the leaves. The leaves of the silver maple turn yellow in the fall, and the underneath of the leaves stays silver. 

While these trees are not known to be as spectacularly bright in autumn as some other types of maple trees, you might consider a silver maple tree if you want something interesting in your yard for fall or something a little more subdued to pair with a brighter tree. 

Here’s our full sugar maple tree growth timeline if you’d like more info on growing one!

Choosing Other Varieties Of Maple Tree

There are many other varieties of maple trees, too, like Japanese maple, a popular tree that is very different from the standard maple trees you are likely to find in a northeastern United States forest.

For more standard varieties, there are Norway maples, paperbark maples, and boxelder maples.

You can choose whichever type of maple tree works best for what you want, whether that be the size of the mature tree, the color of the fall leaves, or the rate at which the tree grows. If you’re curious about the pros and cons of different types of maple trees, head on over to our article for a full list of maple tree variations!

Most maple trees have similar needs regarding soil, water, and sunlight, so with only a few exceptions, our general guidelines here are applicable to the type of maple tree you decide to grow from seed. If you’d like a specific fast growing maple, take a peak at our guide on the fastest growing maple trees as well.

2. Choose A Spot To Plant Your Maple Tree

Once you have chosen the type of maple tree you want to plant and have acquired the seeds, the next step is to choose a spot to plant your maple tree.

Most maple trees want to be located in a cooler climate and they need a lot of water, plus some moisture in the air. In fact, maple trees should be watered twice a week! For more information, check out our article on why maple trees need so much water!

If you have determined that you live in a suitable climate, you can plant the seeds directly in your yard. 

Starting Your Tree In A Container

If you are concerned about the location of your maple tree, or you want to have more control over the soil, water, water drainage, and sunlight in your tree’s first year or so, you can start by planting your maple tree seedling in a container, like a large pot.

There are a number of advantages to this method, all of which relate to giving you more control over the maple seedling’s environment from day one. 

More Control Over Soil Makes For A Healthier Tree

Maple trees like a certain level of acidity in their soil, and that is not always compatible with some parts of the country, like the southwest.

If you want to give your maple seedling the best possible start, you can start by growing it in potting soil, which will be ideally formulated to help your seedling grow as well as possible. 

Potting soil, like this Miracle-Gro Garden Soil Trees & Shrubs, often also contains fertilizer and other nutrients to help your plants, like maple trees, grow faster and healthier from the very beginning.

A healthy seedling is the best possible start to a long-lived, healthy maple tree. 

Ensuring A Proper Watering Schedule

A common problem with planting maple tree seedlings, or any tree seedlings, especially in a part of the country where there may not be as many native maple trees, is controlling the amount of water your tree gets.

Planting your maple tree in a container will help you ensure that the tree is not only adequately watered but also that the water is draining properly from the roots of the tree. Too much water can be a bad thing.

To make sure your container drains well, you can start by buying a container that includes a drain at the bottom of the container itself. Then, help drainage even more by adding a layer of bark or even rocks at the bottom of the pot before you put in any soil. This can help your tree’s roots stay hydrated but healthy as you water them. 

Controlling The Location Of Your Tree

Choosing where to plant your tree can be a difficult decision. The tree will need a lot of sunlight, but, depending on how much sun your home normally gets, it might need a little shade, especially at the beginning of its life when it is just starting to establish its roots and branches. 

Being Able To Move Your Maple Tree

If you plant your maple tree in a container, you can place it in the best possible place to begin with, and you will be able to move the tree without having to dig it up and replant it, if you determine the location is not good.

A tip here is to put your container on a wheeled plant stand so you can move it more easily, as a large container full of wet soil is extremely heavy. 

Another bonus of being able to move your maple tree seedling in the first year or so of its life is that you will be able to take it indoors for the winter if you want to make sure it is not shocked or harmed by snow, ice, and extreme temperatures.

You Can Bring The Tree In For The Cold

While maple trees are very hardy trees able to withstand and even thrive in cold weather, as made evident by their native locations of the northeast United States and in Canada, young trees are more vulnerable than those that have been established. 

Rather than cover the seedling with burlap or a tree bag in the winter, if you have a maple tree in a pot, you can simply bring it indoors. This will also allow you to place the plant somewhere where it is easier to control the humidity around it, not just the temperature. This can be particularly valuable if you live in a very dry climate, as maple trees prefer moist air. 

Whether you plant your tree in a container or directly in the ground of your yard, picking a good location from the beginning can be the difference between a maple tree seedling that thrives and one that does not even survive. 

3. Turn Your Maple Tree Seeds Into Seedlings

Once you have chosen a location, you could just put the seeds in the ground and walk away, as this is, after all, how they grow naturally in forests.

The best time to germinate maple tree seeds is in the fall, and the best time to plant the seedlings will be in the spring, so plan accordingly.

While you might think that you will just be digging a hole and putting the maple tree seeds in, it is actually best to germinate the seeds first, which means to let them grow a little bit and start their roots, before you put them in the ground.

Building A Seedbed

To do this, you can build a seedbed. That can be a container you have built out of wood or it can be pots or containers, but you want to be able to control the environment, as the seeds will initially only be planted an inch or so under the soil. 

You should make sure all the soil around the area you want to plant the seed has been broken up, and you should remove any rocks or other objects that are not dirt.

You should begin your seedbed with nothing but the soil that was already there. 

When you are ready to plant, you might think that one tree equals one seed, but because so many seeds may not survive, it’s actually best to plant quite a few–as many as 50. Put the seeds about one inch below the surface of the soil.

Waiting For Seeds To Germinate

The process at this point can take a couple of months.

While your seeds are germinating, your main job is to keep the soil moist.

Sunlight is not as important at this stage, as the seeds are completed underground. 

Planting Your Tiny Maple Tree Seedlings

After a couple of months, when your seedling is several inches tall and has roots, you can move it to a more permanent location, be that outdoors in the ground or in a container as discussed above. 

If you are planting the tree outdoors in your chosen location, wait until early spring, after the winter has passed, then dig a hole that will cover the roots.

If your sapling is very small, it’s probably a good idea to put some type of fencing or protection around it so it doesn’t get accidentally walked on or hit with a lawnmower.  

Water the tree carefully, making sure to use a very gentle setting on your garden hose so the pressure of the water does not damage the tree. 

4. Caring For Your Maple Tree Sapling

Once your tree has been planted, the basic care of your maple tree sapling can begin.

This really just means making sure the tree is protected from the elements and has plenty of water. But if you want to give your tree some added advantages, or you want it to grow faster, there are a few additional steps you can take. 

Using Fertilizer To Make Your Maple Tree Grow Faster

One way to boost the growth of your maple tree is to add some plant food to the soil around it, like these Miracle-Gro Tree and Shrub Plant Food Spikes.

These spikes go into the soil around your tree, providing added nutrients to the sapling as it grows.

Another option for a fertilizer that can easily be placed around growing trees is Jobe’s Fertilizer Spikes for Trees & Shrubs, which also provide added nutrients in the soil around the base of your tree. 

For a deeper dive into the world of fertilizers, check out our list of the 5 best maple tree fertilizers!

Protecting Your Maple Tree From Wildlife and Accidents

One easy way to keep people from accidentally harming your tiny maple tree is to place a small garden fence around it.

This will keep anyone from walking on it or keeping any garden vehicles away.

If you are concerned about wildlife, you can also use fencing to keep animals away. Wildlife is not a big concern for a young maple tree at this point, but you might want to use fencing to discourage even your pets from trampling your tree. 

Long-Term Care Of Your Maple Tree

Maple trees are easy to care for once they are well-established in the ground, as long as you live in the right environment.

If you live in a hot, dry climate, you may find that the leaves experience some health issues and that you have to work very hard to give your tree enough water.

But in most parts of the United States, many varieties of maple trees will flourish without any extra help from you.

That’s A Wrap!

Now you are ready to choose the type of maple tree best for your yard, germinate seeds, and watch one of those new seedlings grow into a mature maple tree.

The different varieties of maple trees grow at different rates, so how quickly you see your tree mature will depend a lot on whether you have chosen a slow-growing or fast-growing maple tree.

But either way, your tree will eventually mature into a classic shade tree with beautiful fall foliage. 

For more information about growing your maple tree, check out our post on the full life of a maple tree, Maple Tree Timeline: How Long It Takes For Full Growth. 

Happy planting!

References

Abrams, M. D. (1998). “The red maple paradox.” BioScience, 48(5), 355-364.

Sonti, N. F., Hallett, R. A., Griffin, K. L., & Sullivan, J. H. (2019). “White oak and red maple tree ring analysis reveals enhanced productivity in urban forest patches.” Forest Ecology and Management, 453, 117626.

The sugar maple is a very prolific and important tree in the United States. There are more sugar maple trees in the forests of the northeastern United States than any other species of hardwood tree!

If you’re looking to grow a sugar maple, look no further, today we are sharing a full sugar maple growth timeline!

Sugar maple trees may not be the fastest-growing trees, growing only one-two feet each year, but their spectacular canopies at full maturity, especially in the fall, are worth the wait.

Read on for more information about the growth timeline of the sugar maple tree and how to aid this tree in growing to its fullest potential in your yard, and if you are unsure of how to go about growing your sugar maple – make sure to check in with a local professional.

The Sugar Maple: An American and Canadian Stalwart

Sugar maple trees are, of course, a variety of maple tree. They are deciduous trees, meaning that their leaves change color, die, and fall off every autumn and are replaced by new budding leaves every spring. The sugar maple also has flowers that appear before the new leaves. 

Sugar maples are most often seen in the southeastern part of Canada (a country that features a maple leaf on its flag) and the northeastern region of the United States. 

There are more sugar maple trees in the forests of these regions than any other type of hardwood tree, and sugar maples are so popular that they are honored as the state tree of four different U.S. states, plus they appear on Vermont’s commemorative quarter. 

Uses Of Sugar Maple Trees

Sugar maples are used for myriad purposes. They are harvested for lumber, as their hardwood is famously durable. In fact, these trees are sometimes referred to as “hard maple trees.” The wood is used for many purposes, including furniture, bowling pins, and baseball bats.

Sugar maple trees are also used, as you might guess, for maple syrup.

This sap was used by Native Americans as one of their main sources of sweeteners for food.

Sugar Maple Sap Is Super Sweet

Sugar maple tree sap is among the sweetest types of sap that comes from maple trees, and it is often harvested to make the sweet syrups used for pancakes around the world. And you need a lot of sugar maple sap for that!

According to the Ohio State University, you need to harvest 40 liters of sugar maple sap to make just one liter of maple syrup!

And it’s none of our business if you wanted to eat maple syrup straight from the tree itself, but just in case you were wondering how – we made sure to write an article about it!

Sugar Maples Provide Shade

Another very popular use of sugar maple trees is for shade.

These trees produce very large and full leafy canopies, lending a wide swath of shade to everything beneath them in three seasons of the year. 

We think maple trees are so good at providing shade, we wrote a whole article about it!

Sugar Maples Help The Wildlife

Sugar maples are also important for the wildlife of the northeastern United States, where these iconic trees are home to a number of types of birds that like to build their nests there, including orioles, cardinals, and woodpeckers, among many others.

Some birds also eat insects from sugar maples. Other animals that eat parts of the sugar maple, like the bark, seeds, and leaves, include deer, squirrels, rabbits, and even porcupines and moose. 

Distinguishing Characteristics Of Sugar Maples

The sugar maple, which has the scientific name acer saccharum, boasts the characteristic lobed leaves of all maple trees.

The sugar maple’s leaves usually have five lobes, but they can sometimes have three. The lobes have points, forming that famous almost star-shaped appearance that you can see on Canada’s national flag or the jerseys of the Toronto Maple Leafs NHL team.

The leaves of the sugar maple are green in the spring and summer, but in the fall, sugar maples famously put on an autumn show with their bright yellow, orange, and red leaves. 

Sugar maple trees have smooth, gray bark when they are young that changes to a coarse, darker bark as the trees mature. Like most maple trees, the sugar maple’s seeds are contained in samaras, those helicopter-like seed pods that spiral down from the tree’s branches. 

Where Do Sugar Maple Trees Grow?

According to the Harvard University, there are about 31 million acres of land on which sugar maples currently grow. 

Sugar maple trees are very hardy trees, able to bounce back from damaging events like drought. They are therefore found in a number of different environments.

They appear frequently in forests, including very dense forests, as they are able to tolerate shade and can therefore grow alongside other trees that block some of the sunlight. 

They Are Often Found In Towns And Cities

Sugar maple trees are also often grown in towns and cities and yards, though some of the common characteristics of urban environments, like salt, lack of space, and lack of water, make it more difficult for sugar maples to grow there than in forests.

But some parts of residential neighborhoods have fewer of these problems, so sugar maples often grow very well there!

Sugar maple trees are frequently planted in both urban and suburban environments, and we will give you tips on how to make your sugar maple tree feel so at home in your yard it will think it is in a forest!

The Life Timeline Of A Sugar Maple Tree

It takes about 20 to 30 years for a sugar maple tree to be considered fully mature.

During those first few decades, the tree goes through its normal cycles, and after that time, the tree spends decades in a steady state before its eventual late-life decline. 

For more information on other types of maple trees and their growth timeline, check out our other article for comparison!

Timeline From Bud To Mature Tree

Sugar maple trees begin life as seeds in samaras, which grow in spring and fall to the ground in the fall.

The seed of a sugar maple tree has its best chance at germinating (which is sprouting the initial growth that will turn it into a sugar maple seedling) if it lands on the moist ground of the deep forest when the weather is cool but not too cold. 

The seeds usually fall in the autumn, then the sprouts of successful seedlings emerge in the fall. Those sprouts take hold in the ground, forming the roots that become a maple tree sapling. 

Saplings Grow Slow

Sugar maple saplings grow at a somewhat slow rate that ranges from less than one foot per year to up to two feet per year.

A sugar maple will be mature, meaning it will stop growing and be at its full height, after about 30 to 40 years.

Once the tree has established itself, though, it can live for up to 200 or even 300 years! Planting this type of tree definitely qualifies as what is known as planting a legacy tree for many generations to enjoy. 

Growing Your Own Sugar Maple Tree

You can plant your sugar maple tree anywhere in your yard that has enough space for such a large tree and is able to be watered regularly, particularly if you live in a dry climate. 

It should be noted that, if you do live in a very dry or hot climate, you might want to consider a different tree than the sugar maple.

Sugar maple trees really only like to live in places where the temperatures stay quite cool and there is lots of rain and humidity.

This is why these trees are generally found in the northeast United States and are rarely found much further south than Tennessee. 

There are other types of maple trees that might be easier for you to grow. Check out our other post on the best maple trees to plant, to help you decide the best variety of maple tree for your needs and your environment. 

Where To Plant A Sugar Maple Tree In Your Yard

Once you have determined that a sugar maple tree is right for your yard and can thrive there, it’s time to figure out where exactly to plant it.

Keep in mind that this tree will eventually be very large, so choose your spot carefully!

Finding The Right Light For Your Sugar Maple Tree

Sugar maple trees do well in the shade, which is how they often naturally grow in very dense forests, so you can plant a sugar maple near other trees that may take some of its sunlight; just make sure they are not planted too close for their root systems and canopies. 

In general, it’s best to plant a sugar maple tree about 30 feet away from another large tree. 

Finding The Right Spacing Between The Tree And Your Home

You should also keep in mind the tree’s proximity to your house. Once the canopy spreads and the branches grow, you don’t want them scraping up against the side of your house or roof; this can damage not only your house but also the tree. 

You can also take into consideration whether you want the tree to shade a particular part of your house.

In many parts of the country, where air conditioning is not a given in some houses, people rely on shade from trees to help keep their homes cool in the summer. You might want to consider this added bonus.

And even if you do have air conditioning, shade from a sugar maple tree could go a long way toward helping lower your summer electricity bill!

Finding The Right Spacing Between The Tree And The Street

If you are planting your tree close to the street, you should also consider whether any obstacles will arise once the tree has reached its full height.

Are there power lines running down your street? Is there a street light nearby that could be blocked by high-reaching foliage years down the road?

If you plant your tree where it blocks power lines or other types of utility lines, the city or county in which you live may be able to prune your tree away from those lines, which can result in an ugly shape of your tree’s canopy or even permanent damage to your tree. 

Try to plant your sugar maple so that it is clear now of any obstacles and will still be clear of them 30 years down the road when it is a fully mature tree. 

Helping Your Sugar Maple Tree Grow Faster

Sugar maple trees may not grow as fast as other types of maples, but this is because of the density of their wood.

They are hardwood trees, which means that the wood of the trees is very hard and difficult to break!

Typically, trees with softer wood might grow faster, but they are not as durable. Their branches and limbs are more susceptible to damage from even natural causes like wind or ice.

Hardwood maples, however, like the sugar maple, grow more slowly but are less likely to break in these types of environments. 

Give It Some More Sun!

One way to help your sugar maple sapling grow faster is to give it more sunlight than it might get in a dense forest.

Do be careful, though, because sugar maple trees are susceptible to having their leaves scorched by too much direct light or heat. 

Using A Container To Grow Your Sugar Maple Sapling

If you want to try growing your sugar maple tree with a little extra light, it is important to make sure it isn’t getting too much light.

This can be a difficult balance to achieve in your yard, where the tree is immobile. 

If you would like to try a method of light variation, you can begin by planting your sugar maple tree in a container, then moving it to its permanent location in the ground a year or two later, after it has established itself and experienced perhaps some expedited growth due to extra sunlight. 

A container is also an easy way to provide extra rich soil, something else that really helps speed up sugar tree maple growth. 

Using Fertilizer

One of the main ways to speed up growth in your tree is to make sure its processes of photosynthesis are as optimized as possible. This optimization is the goal of most plant fertilizers.

Fertilizer can help young trees grow faster, and the best type to use is one that slowly releases nutrients into the soil around your tree. 

An organic option is to use organic fertilizer spikes around the base of your sugar maple tree, like Purely Organic Molasses and Soy Fertilizer Spikes. 

Using fertilizer can be a great way to maximize growth, particularly while your sugar maple tree is young. 

Fertilizer Can Be Used In A Container Too

If you have chosen to begin your sugar maple tree’s growth in a container, using fertilizer may be even easier.

You can pot the entire container with potting soil that contains growth-aiding nutrients, like this Miracle-Gro Potting Mix that claims to make plants grow much bigger. 

The best time to use fertilizer is in the summer. 

For a more in depth fertilizer guide, read our article on how and when to fertilize your maple tree.

Using Plant Food

The amount of nutrients in the soil in which a sugar maple tree is growing is incredibly important, more so than with other types of trees.

This can be a good case for using some products that can enhance the nutrients of the soil in which you have planted your sugar maple tree. 

For example, Espoma Organic Tree-Tone Fruit and Shade Tree Food are formulated specifically for shade trees, like maple trees. 

You can also try speeding up the growth of your sugar maple tree with a concentrated tree food, like Covington Naturals Chelated Liquid Iron Plus Concentrate Blend, but this type of food should only be used on a mature tree, as it contains nitrogen. Young trees that get too much nitrogen can grow leaves faster than their roots can keep up, leaving them dehydrated. 

The best time to apply plant food is in the spring. 

Expediting Growth And Preserving Healthy By Preventing Insect Infestation

Sugar maple trees are susceptible to some types of pests, most notably, insects that are known to bore into the tree and a pest called the cottony maple scale, which can damage the tree by eating its sap. 

Even though sugar maples do not usually suffer much from infestations, any setback could be enough to slow the growth you are trying to accelerate. 

To feed your tree some extra nutrients while also giving it some protection against infestation from potentially harmful insects, you can try a product like BioAdvanced 12 Months Tree and Shrub Protect and Feed.

This can rid your sugar maple tree of current infestations or prevent future ones. 

If you’d rather plant a quicker growing maple tree, take a gander at our guide on the fastest growing maple trees here!

Using Mulch To Keep The Ground Moist

Sugar maple trees do not do well in dry soil, so it is very important not only to keep your sugar maple tree well watered but also to make sure that the soil is able to retain that moisture at all times.

One of the best ways to do this is to put mulch around your tree. 

To mulch your sugar maple tree, follow these simple guidelines:

• Start a circle of mulch that begins ways out from the trunk of your sugar maple tree. Do not pile the mulch into a mound around the base of the tree. Keep the entire flare at the bottom of the trunk free of mulch. 
• Mulch helps keep the moisture in, but too much mulch can keep the oxygen out, so make sure that you only put down a layer of mulch about 2 to 4 inches thick and no thicker. 
• Check the mulch every few months and be prepared to re-mulch about once a year. Mulch will naturally get dispersed, spread out, and thin over time, so you will have to do a little maintenance every several months or so. 
• Use a high-quality mulch made from all-natural materials, like this Organic Mechanics All Natural Hardwood Bark Mulch.

That’s A Wrap!

Now you are ready to decide whether a sugar maple tree is right for your yard, and when and how you want to plant one. While the growth rate might not be the fastest, these trees have a spectacular payoff with large canopies, beautiful leaves, and long lives. 

You can also speed up their growth with some of the methods explained here. 

Enjoy your new sugar maple tree!

References

Bal, T. L., Storer, A. J., Jurgensen, M. F., Doskey, P. V., & Amacher, M. C. (2015). Nutrient stress predisposes and contributes to sugar maple dieback across its northern range: a review. Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research, 88(1), 64-83.

Lovett, G. M., & Mitchell, M. J. (2004). Sugar maple and nitrogen cycling in the forests of eastern North America. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 2(2), 81-88.

Payette, S., Fortin, M. J., & Morneau, C. (1996). The recent sugar maple decline in southern Quebec: probable causes deduced from tree rings. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 26(6), 1069-1078.

Maple trees are some of the most popular landscape trees across the United States. This is because most of them put on bright colors in autumn, and they have attractive growth habits. If you’re thinking about planting them in your landscape, you may want to know how fast maple trees grow!

Generally speaking, most maple trees grow 10 to 12 inches in a year.

This growth rate is slow to medium for most trees, but some maple trees are exceptionally swift growers!

The boxelder maple, silver maple, and the big-leaf maple are all fast-growing trees that can shade your landscape in only a handful of years.

Whether you want a maple tree for bright, vibrant fall color or you need some shade in an otherwise shadeless yard, you can’t go wrong with a maple. Picking one out is the hard part since there are hundreds of varieties to choose from. Come on down as we find out which are the fastest-growing maple trees.

So What Are Maple Trees, Anyway?

When we hear the word “Maple” we probably instantly conjure images of maple syrup, the Canadian flag, or maple candy. My favorite has to be maple cotton candy…Divine!

You’re not wrong, because the sugar maple is where we get that amazing pancake and waffle topper. You can actually make syrup from many other varieties of trees, have you ever heard of birch syrup or black walnut syrup? It’s out there, but we are talking about maple trees, not syrup.

Maple trees belong to the Acer genus, of which there are approximately 130 different species. Most of these trees come from Asia, but there are 12 maple trees that are native to North America.

There are three ways you can identify these trees for yourself. That seems a little easier and less monotonous than listing every single variety. You can look at the leaves, the bark, and the seeds they produce.

You Can Identify Maple Trees By Their Leaves

Most maple trees have similar-looking leaves, and distinguishing characteristics; remember that Canadian flag? The leaves on maple trees usually have palmate lobes, which means the leaf has distinctive, separate but connected sections.

Maple leaves vaguely resemble hands and can have 3, 5, or more lobes. The sugar maple, black, and red maple leaves have three lobes, while the silver maple and Japanese maple have five or more lobes.

Another characteristic of the leaves is the bright colors that show up in fall. Depending on the species, maple tree leaves can change from green to yellow, orange, red, and every shade in between. 

The sugar maple leaves can gradually change through all the colors, while the red maple shows off brilliant red colors before they fall off.

Check The Bark Because Maple Trees Don’t Bite

Young maple trees have smooth grey or brown bark, but they may become rougher as they age. As maple trees reach maturity, the bark can split into narrow, shallow ridges. The new growth and smaller branches and twigs retain the smooth, sometimes shiny bark.

The ridges along the thickest part of the trunk don’t get too deep. Some oak and walnut trees can have deeply furrowed trunks, but maple trees don’t get so deep or thick.

Check Out Their Fun Fruits!

Yes, maple trees produce fruit, though don’t get your hopes up that you’ve been missing out on juicy maple-flavored apples, or berries. These fruits are seed pods that birds and squirrels tend to eat.

When you were a kid, did you ever play with the twirling seeds that fell from certain trees? You may have called them “helicopters,” “whirligigs,” or something similar. Those are the maple fruits I’m referring to, otherwise called samaras.

All maple trees flower and then produce these feathery-looking samaras. They often form in pairs, and when they fall to the ground they swirl like a helicopter blade. Check out our article on the types of maple trees that produce helicopter seeds for more info!

Some maple trees produce samaras in the fall, while others such as the silver and red maple produce them early in the growing season and drop them in springtime. Now that you can confidently identify maple trees, let’s see which ones grow the fastest.

Which Maple Trees Will Grow The Fastest In My Yard?

Some maple trees won’t grow to maturity for several decades. Maybe you don’t want to wait for retirement to enjoy the shade of a large maple. Maybe you plan on selling your house in a few years and want a few decent-sized trees in the yard.

Whatever the case, we have you covered. These are the fastest-growing maple trees you can plant in your yard. If you are interested in what else to plant with your maple tree, check out our article, 11 best plants to grow under a maple tree.

Fastest Growing Maple Trees Ranked: Complete Growth Chart

1. Silver Maple Is The Fast Growing Maple Champion

Under the perfect growing conditions, silver maples can grow up to 6 feet in a single season. Even bamboo stands up and salutes this growth rate.

The silver maple has narrow lobed leaves that have a silvery-white underside. When the wind blows this light color contrasts nicely with the bright green top. During fall, the leaves turn a bold yellow before they brown and fall to the ground.

The bark is grey and ridged on mature trunks but is smooth on younger trees. Often as the tree ages, the bark will peel off in short strips. It’s not as prominent as birch trees, but it will still flake off occasionally.

Lifespan And Growth Rate Of The Silver Maple

The silver maple can grow to heights of 80’ with a spread of 30 to 50 feet. They are long-lived trees that can grow for over 100 years. In about a decade, you’ll have a mature silver maple.

For a more in-depth look at how long it takes for your maple tree to reach maturity, check out our article on the full maple tree growth timeline.

These trees need plenty of sunlight to keep up with this extraordinary growth. They prefer soil that’s moist, rich, and slightly acidic, though it’s quite tolerant of most soil types. 

They can deal with mild flooding but are only partially drought-tolerant. As they age, this tolerance increases, but early on they need a lot of water.

Where To Plant A Silver Maple

Because these trees grow so very fast, their wood tends to be soft and brittle. You don’t want a silver maple anywhere near your house, garage, or other structure. Nor would you want to plant it near sidewalks, or water lines.

The roots can be invasive and shallow so they will lift asphalt and concrete, and they will invade pipes that have the slightest leak.

Silver maples work great in wide open fields and large, expansive yards. You’ll need to keep them at least 50 feet away from your house to prevent any damage from falling limbs, especially during heavy thunderstorms or ice storms.

Here’s our detailed article on the best places to plant a sugar maple tree if you’d like more info!

States Where Silver Maple Trees Grow Best

These trees grow best from Maine to Minnesota, and from Michigan down to Mississippi. They are hardy down to -30 degrees Fahrenheit. These trees can withstand a variety of climates, though they don’t do so well in arid regions. 

The dry, exceptionally hot summers can do a silver maple in. Silver maples tend to congregate along stream borders and near other small bodies of water. They need a lot of nutrients and water to keep them growing so fast.

Are you interested in growing a silver maple tree? Find yourself some saplings right here with the Hidden Creek Gardens Silver Maple Tree.

2. All About The Fast Growing Big Leaf Maple

The next fastest-growing maple tree is the big leaf. This tree isn’t as fast as the silver maple, but it still holds its own. When this tree gets the perfect growing conditions, it can grow up to 4 or 5 feet per year.

As the name implies, this maple has the largest leaves of the family. The leaves usually have 5 lobes and can reach up to 12 inches in width. In the fall these leaves turn gold, then yellow. 

Against the typical evergreen backdrop, these trees are stunning during autumn. Like other maple trees, the bark on the bigleaf starts off grey and smooth, but over time it produces ridges and furrows.

How Big Does The Bigleaf Maple Tree Get?

These giants can often grow over 100 feet tall, but most times they top out at around 60 to 70 feet. They have a spread of 40 to 75 feet. In your landscape, these trees can produce a huge swath of shade.

The bigleaf maple tree is a very long-lived tree as well. They routinely grow to 100 years of age but can exceed 300. To put that into perspective, some of these trees were growing long before the Declaration of Independence was written!

All that height and width makes for a great shade tree! If you’re interested in six reasons maples make great shade trees, check out our article on the subject!

Can You Grow Bigleaf Maple Trees In Your Yard?

You’ll need plenty of space to grow these big trees. While they don’t typically grow higher than skyscrapers in the suburban setting, they are still large trees that need a lot of room to grow.

Being a fast-growing tree, it also isn’t advised to plant the bigleaf maple near any structures. Like the silver maple, limbs can break off suddenly and cause extensive damage to the home and garage.

Bigleaf maple trees are more tolerant of shade than silver maples, but since they grow so tall so fast, they will often outgrow most shade in a short time. They do well in shady, and sunny areas. 

Soil is a bigger factor as they need well-drained soil and plenty of moisture. The bigleaf maple likes plenty of water, but they don’t like to have constantly wet roots.

These Are Pacific Coast Trees

You may find these trees growing naturally along the coast of Washington, Oregon, and California and up into Canada. They are hardy in USDA growing zones from 5 down to 9. 

These trees are heavy drinkers. They don’t tolerate drought well, and if you live in an area that frequently sees extended dry spells, you’ll end up spending a lot of time keeping them moist.

Big Leaf Maples Are Quite Messy Trees!

When the bigleaf maple reaches maturity you’ll be doing a lot of cleanups unless you have it growing in a naturalized area. Just imagine thousands of leaves nearly a foot wide falling to the ground. 

On the plus side, if you mulch the leaves, you’ll have an endless supply of potassium and calcium-rich mulch. In between the leaves, you’ll also have the samaras that fall. While these may be eaten by squirrels, birds, and other wildlife, you may have to contend with them if you keep a very tidy yard.

3. Introducing The Boxelder Maple!

Next up on our list is the boxelder. We’re still growing very fast, as the boxelder can grow up to 4 feet in a single year. This tree is much more drought-tolerant than our previous contenders. 

Because of this characteristic along with the swift growing habit, these trees were often planted throughout the plains and prairies when the western U.S. was being settled.

You can identify these trees by their compound leaves. They don’t look like typical maple leaves, because they have 3 to 7 leaflets growing off a long stem. They still produce the twin samaras like all other maple trees.

Growth Habits Of The Boxelder Maple Tree

Typically these trees grow to a medium height of 60 to 70 feet and produce a canopy as wide as 25 to 30 feet. Though in shady areas these trees will extend branches at odd angles to soak up as much sunlight as they can capture.

Box elder maples can tolerate soil from sandy loam to heavy clay soil. They can stand some flooding and standing water, as well as moderate drought.

These trees can grow in zones 2 through 9 so they can withstand a wide array of temperatures, though they prefer cooler climates.

Where Boxelder Maples Grow In Your Landscape

These trees need plenty of sunlight. They can tolerate some partial shade, but they may take on some strange growth patterns to get more sunlight.

Again the boxelder is a soft wooded variety of maple that may break in strong winds, or through ice storms so be sure to plant it far away from any structures. The roots are also shallow, though in some soils it may produce a long taproot that helps to anchor it in the ground.

If you’re looking for a fast-growing tree that will help with soil erosion, this tree will help because of the fibrous roots.

It’s a relatively short-lived tree compared to other maple varieties. These trees will live for 60 to 75 years.

4. Now On To The Norway Maple

Norway maples are very fast-growing trees that can spread very easily as well. Because of this habit of cloning itself so easily, these trees are considered invasive in many areas. You may want to check your local area before planting the Norway maple in your area.

These trees were introduced in 1756 and were planted in many growing neighborhoods because they were attractive, quick-growing shade trees that did well in most conditions. The Norway soon spread its roots, branches, and more as they tried to take over.

They can grow 2 to 3 feet per year and reach heights of up to 100 feet. They have a wide, rounded canopy that can reach up to 40 feet from side to side.

Identifying The Norway Maple Tree

The leaves of the Norway maple look like typical maple leaves, but when they are broken off you’ll see a white, milky sap. While this usually signifies a toxic plant, the Norway maple sap can actually be used to make syrup.

It’s not commercially viable because much more sap is needed to make syrup, and it takes longer to process it.

The bark on these trees is dark grey to black and becomes furrowed as it ages. Young trees have smooth, dark grey bark.

Where Do Norway Maple Trees Come From?

This tree is native to England, but they were introduced to Philadelphia and spread from Canada to Minnesota, and down to the Carolinas and Tennessee. Pockets of them are found on the Western side of Canada, in Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.

As you can see they like higher elevations and cooler temperatures. They grow best in zones 4 through 7 and prefer soil that is well draining and rich, though they will tolerate most types between sand to clay.

They don’t mind shade or sun, they are drought tolerant, and can handle polluted city streets. Basically, you can grow a Norway maple nearly anywhere. This tolerance of all things is another reason they tend to be invasive. 

Where Can You Plant Norway Maple Trees?

As you can see, this tree doesn’t care where it’s planted, it will grow with fervor, and often produce many more. If you do plant these trees, be sure to keep an eye on them as they seed and try to spread.

They do best on their own because when they are planted amongst other trees, they have a tendency to take over and crowd out the competition. Just make sure wherever you live, these trees aren’t listed as invasive.

Norway maples may be perfect for a yard with less than ideal soil. Luckily, we’ve got you covered when it comes to planting tips. Read our article on how to plant your maple tree in clay for step-by-step instructions on how to grow a thriving tree.

5. Feast Your Eyes On The Freeman Maple Tree

If you’re familiar with red maples you may love their brilliant red fall color. They are fairly fast-growing trees, but what if you could get a red maple that grows even faster? Enter the Freeman maple.

Freeman maple trees are a hybrid of silver maples and autumn blaze red maple. They produce gorgeous red fall foliage but grow faster than the medium growth rate reds. This maple tree also possessed the strong branches of the red maple so falling limbs are greatly reduced.

Identifying The Freeman Maple Tree

Take a silver maple leaf, put it next to a red maple leaf and you’ll instantly see a difference. Red maple leaves have 3 distinctive lobes, while silver maple leaves have at least 5 which are thinner but more “toothy.”

Now combine these leaves together and you get the Freeman maple leaf. They have 3 to 5 lobes, are thinner than the red maple, and are moderately toothed. They also have a lighter-colored underside similar to the silver maple.

The Freeman maple has a dark and smooth bark on younger trees that grows to a silvery grey with small fissures as it ages. In fall the leaves turn yellow to red-orange to bring on the exciting fall brightness that maple trees are known for.

From Illinois To Your Yard

These trees are native to Illinois—Chicago to be exact as this is where they were created. They will grow well in zones 3 through 8 and do well in city landscapes…they come from Chicago so they like the hustle and bustle.

These trees can be planted in moist well-drained soil, but they can tolerate clay, occasional drought, and occasional flooding. They need full sun to be the happiest, and when they get everything they need the Freeman maple can grow up to 3 feet per year.

Sizes may vary, but most Freeman maples grow up to 100 feet with a canopy width of 20 to 40 feet. They are relatively short-lived trees, only living between 50 to 70 years.

You can plant these trees closer to your house for cooling shade, but you may still want to maintain a 25 to 35 feet distance to allow for the root spread. One thing to watch out for on Freeman maple trees, is they have the silver maple’s roots.

The roots can raise patio pavers, sidewalks, and driveways if they are within the vicinity. They have shallow roots synonymous with silver maples, so keep that in mind when planting them.

There are plenty of red maple varieties. You can grow your own Tristar Plants Autumn Blaze Maple Tree, one of the most brilliantly red specimens around. They produce nearly year-round beauty.

6. All About That Amur Maple Tree

So far all the maple trees have been huge trees that need plenty of room to grow and should be placed far out to pasture. The amur maple changes that. It’s a smaller, more contained tree that grows quickly.

These trees originate from China and Japan but were introduced to North America in the 1800s. They can have single trunks or branch out into multiple offshoots. The leaves have three lobes with the middle being the longest.

In spring and summer, they are a nice emerald color, but in fall they can glow orange, red, or yellow depending on the variety.

Where Can Amur Maple Trees Grow?

Since they didn’t originate here, the amur maple has a tendency to be invasive in some areas, particularly the Northeast and Midwest of the U.S. This tree grows well in well-drained soil, but tolerates nearly all types of soil.

They can stand some dry periods as well as heavy wet periods. They can even take heavy pruning and come back bushier and healthier than ever. It’s a good thing they only grow to about 20 tall and wide.

The problem with amur maple trees is that they produce tons of seeds. One small tree can dump out around 5,000 seeds. While most of the time they don’t go far, occasionally the samaras can be caught just right by the wind or water and be carried across vast distances.

Planting Amur Maples In Your Yard

These trees can make stunning centerpieces in your garden. The fall color may be a needed touch when everything else is turning brown. They don’t get very tall and you can train them to be smaller, thin-shaped, or let them grow bushier.

In smaller yards, the amur maple can be a specimen tree or a small shade tree. You’ll only have to clean up the samaras when they are produced.

7. Sweet Sugar Maple Trees

The sugar maple is the tree that produces the scrumptious syrup. It’s nowhere near as fast-growing as the silver maple, but it still can put on 3 feet of growth per year.

These trees are the longest-living trees on our list as they may reach ripe ages of over 400 years. They don’t grow the tallest as they often max out at 60 to 70 feet, but they’ll be around for several generations.

Sugar Maple Tree Statistics

The sugar maple leaf is what you’ll see on the Canadian flag. These leaves usually have five wide lobes and grow to 3 to 5 inches from side to side.

Sugar maples need a hard freeze every winter to keep them healthy so they originated in Northeastern North America. In New England, down to the Appalachian mountains, and as far west as Missouri you may encounter this tree. 

They grow well in zones 2 through 7. These trees have moderate drought resistance and prefer loamy, well-draining soils. Heavy clay and swampy soils are not places you find sugar maples.

You’ll need areas of full sun to grow sugar maples as well as plenty of space. You can plant these trees to produce a windbreak or grow a single one in a wide yard or field, but they will often be the biggest tree on your property.

Since they get so big these trees need plenty of sun. While they are young, the sugar maple can tolerate partial shade, but they’ll need more sun as they reach maturity.

If you’ve wanted your own Generic Sugar Maple Tree, you don’t have to look any further. These saplings start off small but they will grow tall pretty fast.

The best part about sugar maples has to be the maple syrup they are famous for! For more, check out our article on when sugar maples produce that iconic sweet sap and how to get it out!

8. Grow The Radiant Red Maple Tree

Red maple trees have several cultivars but they all produce stunning bright red canopies in the fall. The leaves on red maples are generally three-lobed and smaller than other popular maple trees.

Though native to Eastern forests the red maple is often found from Maine to Florida and as far west as Minnesota and Texas. These trees are also sold and planted in many neighborhoods and yards because of their beautiful color.

Red Maples Are Big Trees

Though relatively fast-growing, these trees only put on about a foot to 3 feet per year. Even at this rate, they can reach heights of 90 feet with canopies as wide as 40 feet. These are great shade trees that produce hard and dense wood.

Red maples don’t live as long as silver or sugar maples, but they may last more than one generation. Red maple trees live for 60 to 90 years on average.

Growing Red Maple Trees On Your Property

Red maple trees like moist loamy soils but they will tolerate most other types from sandy to clay. They have a slight drought tolerance but prefer areas with ample moisture.

The main trait red maple trees look for is plenty of sunlight. These trees require sunlight to grow healthy and to produce bright red colors in the fall. They also need plenty of space.

While they don’t have the tendency to break off large branches like silver or Norway maples, when they reach 40 or 50 feet in the air, pieces can break off. 

If you need a windbreak or need some shade these trees are great. You’ll also have the beautiful crimson colors in the fall to add some beauty to the yard. Just don’t plant them within 40 to 50 feet of your house.

That’s A Wrap

There you have it, the fastest-growing maple trees you can plant in your yard. When looking for fast shade, or you need a tree that grows fast check out these maple trees. The silver maple, bigleaf, and box elder maple are the fastest growing, reaching up to 6 feet per year.

The Norway, Freeman, amur, sugar, and red maple trees have fast, vigorous growth as well, but they usually aren’t quite as brittle either. So, depending if you are looking for huge trees, smaller trees, windbreaks, or shade, maple trees have you covered if you want fast growth.

References:

Peterson, David L., and F. A. Bazzaz. “Photosynthetic and growth responses of silver maple (Acer saccharinum L.) seedlings to flooding.” American Midland Naturalist (1984): 261-272.

Nowak, David J., and Rowan A. Rowntree. “History and range of Norway maple.” Journal of Arboriculture. 16 (11): 291-296. 16.11 (1990).

Horsley, Stephen B., et al. “Health of eastern North American sugar maple forests and factors affecting decline.” Northern Journal of Applied Forestry 19.1 (2002): 34-44.

Who doesn’t delight in a nice, sunny day, right? On the flip side, sometimes it is just nice to soak up the shade and bask in the cool breeze that only occurs right underneath a tree. Maple trees might be the tree to give you this moment of respite during hot summer days!

These trees have large canopies, grow tall (and fast), provide syrup, and are great, sturdy additions to areas all over North America.

Maples are not only beautiful and useful, but are also resilient and reliable. 

As you consider what might be the best shade tree to invest your time and money into, maple should be at the top of your list. This tree could be your best option, depending on factors like where you live, and what you are looking for. Stick with us for a while so that we can go over all the basics. You’ll leave feeling informed and prepared!

Maple Trees Are Great For More Than Just Shade

Let’s start off with the main question on everyone’s mind. Are maple trees good shade trees? Yes, maples are wonderful shade trees, for many reasons. 

You can rely on these trees to grow quickly. Maple trees are tall, have a wide canopies, live a long time, provide added benefits like sap that can turn to syrup, and provide shelter from not only the sun but also from other elements. 

They Have Large Canopies

The distinction between a regular old tree and a shade tree has to do with the canopy- how dense it is, how wide it spreads, how tall the tree is, and how the height reflects the canopy’s ability to throw its shadow so that it can provide shade. 

A maple tree, however, has a canopy that will reach 30 to 50 feet wide in most cases – which provides a very large shadow! 

Maple Trees Are Diverse

Maple trees have their preferences about the environments in which they can grow and thrive, but this is no different from any tree. 

Generally, with well over 100 species of maple trees, you will find a species that fits any given environment that trees can grow. It’s safe to say that maples can be found virtually everywhere in the United States.

They Grow Tall!

Maples trees grow up to about 2 feet, or 24 inches, per year. This makes them medium-fast growing trees and, at maturity, they might stand anywhere from 30 to 150 feet tall. What a range!

Between the height of the tree and the spread of its canopy, you are sure to find some great shade underneath.

Since these maple trees are able to grow quickly and adapt well, they might just be the right option for your next shade tree.

Maple Trees Thrive In A Lot Of USDA Zones

Maple trees do best in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 overall, but most prefer the slightly more temperate climate in zones 5-9. Their ability to thrive in a wide range of zones makes it possible to find maples all over the United States, and greater North America, even.

Maple trees are seen as one of the best shade trees due to their wide canopy, multifaceted uses, and growth rate.

Now, let’s get to the heart of it all. Here are 6 reasons maple trees are so great.

1. Maple Trees Can Grow All Across North America

There are approximately 132 species of maple trees, which means that each individual species is going to have slightly different requirements and respond best to different things. 

According to the USDA, hardiness zones 3-9 encompass the regions of the United States where these trees are able to grow the best. 

Since the hardiness zones go from 1-13, this means that maple trees are able to thrive in most areas of the United States, especially because the more moderate middle zones make up the majority of environments in the United States.

So, What Exactly Is A Hardiness Zone?

You may be wondering what is a hardiness zone and why do we care about it? Let us to tell you! 

When we talk about the hardiness of a plant, we are referring to how ‘cold hardy’ it is. This is really just another way of saying, “Alright, how cold can it get in a region before the tree starts really struggling?”

So, the USDA hardiness zones give us a helpful set of parameters to determine the coldest it might possibly get in a given zone and, as it follows, what zones are best for what types of plants.

Maple Tree’s Required Hardiness Zone, Explained

The hardiness differs based off the type of maple tree we’re talking about! 

Sugar maple, autumn blaze maple, red maple, and silver maple are some of the most common maple trees to choose from, and each will have a slightly different set of needs to consider as you determine what the best conditions to grow your tree are.

4 Kinds Of Maple Tree Hardiness Zones

• Sugar Maple: This species of maple grows best in USDA hardiness zones 3-8.  That means that the range of average extreme low temperatures for sugar maple is -40 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Here are the best places to plant sugar maple trees if you go this route!

• Autumn Blaze Maple: This type of maple tree prefers USDA hardiness zones 4-8, just a bit less hardy than the sugar maple listed above.The range of average extreme low temperatures for the autumn blaze maple species is anywhere from -30 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Red Maple: Our third species as an example this time prefers to reside in USDA hardiness zones 3-9. So far, this type of maple is the coldest hardy of our listed examples. The range of average extreme low temperatures for the red maple tree has a wide range of -40 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Silver Maple: Finally, we have the silver maple species, which can be found in USDA hardiness zones 3-9. Just like the red maple, that means that this species prefers an average extreme low-temperature range of -40 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

The good thing about the zones that maple trees grow in is that, since they are in the middle portion of the zone designations, you’ll find that at least one maple-friendly growing zone exists in each of the 50 states.

2. Maple Trees Have Large Canopies That Provide Excellent Shade

Maple trees, similar to their birch, oak, and other tree counterparts, happen to have canopies that are quite large. This makes them perfect for casting shade on even the brightest, sunniest day of the season.

While the maple tree, on average, has a canopy that spans from 30 to 50 feet wide, you might get a better idea of what to expect by looking at a few different examples, like we did above.

• Sugar Maple: This maple grows to be 60 to 75 feet tall, and its canopy spreads anywhere from 40 to 50 feet wide (they are also amazing maple syrup trees!)

• Autumn Blaze Maple: An autumn blaze maple is a bit shorter, growing anywhere from 40 to 50 feet tall, with a canopy spread of 20 to 40 feet wide. 

• Red Maple: This one meets the top two somewhere in the middle in terms of height. Red maples get from 40 to 60 feet tall, and tend to have a canopy that is 40 feet wide. 

• Silver Maple: This type of maple tree gets between 50 and 80 feet tall, with a canopy that ranges from 35 to 50 feet wide at full maturity. 

It could be best to first search your growing zone, then get an idea of how much space you have that your tree of choice can fill out. This will help you begin to choose the right tree for your exact location.

Now overall, maple trees LOVE sun, which is why they are great to plant in areas where they get plenty of sun.

3. Maple Trees Make Sap (AKA Maple Syrup)

Shade isn’t the only thing you’ll be getting out of this deal! Let’s not forget that maple trees produce sap, which can easily be turned into the maple syrup that we all adore. 

If you don’t love maple syrup, odds are you know someone that does. So, you can keep it to yourself or become the favorite neighbor that stops by with some syrup once in a while. Either way, you’re winning.

And get this – you don’t have to be a pro to get your own syrup, though. Simply grab a tap, watch a few online video tutorials, and you’ll be on your way!

You can learn more about maple sap by reading our article on the different maple trees that produce maple syrup incase that influences your planting choice!

4. Maple Trees Grow Quite Quickly

Maple trees are known for growing at a medium to fast rate, typically. While some trees may take a little longer than others, most are going to shoot up at least a foot per year, often much more. This means that you will have a shade tree relatively quickly even if you are planting your maple as a new tree. 

Of course, it will take some time to get your maple to a size where it covers your desired area of shade, and it will not be able to produce sap until it reaches a certain age. If you start now, though, odds are that you’ll be reaping the benefits of a young-to-mature tree sooner than you might expect. 

Maple Tree Growth Rates

• Sugar Maple: These trees are said to have a medium growth rate because sugar maples grow anywhere from 12-24 inches per year, which translates to 1-2 feet of vertical growth. On an annual scale, this isn’t bad!

• Autumn Blaze Maple: The autumn blaze maple has a fast growth rate, growing more than 24 inches, or two feet, in any given year.

• Red Maple: Much like its relative, the sugar maple, this tree grows at a medium rate. The red maple also shoots up about 12-24 inches, 2-3 feet, per year.

• Silver Maple: Similar to the autumn blaze maple, the silver maple is also a fast grower with vertical increases in size of over 24 inches, or 2 feet, per year.

You might notice that, unlike the hardiness zones in which maple species might thrive differently, the growth rate of maple trees tends to be comparable.

Read more about maple tree growth rates in our piece on the average maple tree timeline and how long it takes for full growth.

5. Maple Trees Do Well In Many Soil Types

Not only are maple trees flexible when it comes to the cold. They are also rather adaptable to different soil types, including clay. Maples do best in well-drained soil that is slightly acidic.

For context, many trees are well-suited for many soil types but will draw the line at clay and drier desert-like soils.

If you have a maple that is growing in a climate that is a bit drier, you may be concerned about the amount of water it has access to. 

Perhaps you aren’t around to regularly water your plants, or maybe you’d just like to take one thing off your to-do list. If that sounds like you, we recommend using an irrigation system to help your maple tree get water in dry climates.

This CARPATHEN Drip Irrigation Kit comes with drip emitters, ¼ tubing, and drip connectors, and is a great choice for your yard, garden, and even patio plants.

Use Fertilizer To Sustain The Tree In Different Climates

Beyond that, if you are looking for a way to help sustain your maple tree a little beyond what the soil itself can provide, you may consider using a fertilizer. 

We’ve found that, for maples, that a fertilizer with an NPK of 10-4-6 or 16-4-8 has the best balance of elements that your tree needs. 

NPK stands for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This acronym helps us easily list the ratio of each of these important elements to one another. 

So, since maple trees need more of the first number, we know that they require more nitrogen, and then slightly less potassium, and, finally, even less phosphorus. 

The Andersons Professional PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer with 7% Humic DG is a granular fertilizer, which is one of the preferred methods of receiving nutrients for maple trees.

For a more detailed guide, check out our article on the best maple tree fertilizers.

6. Maple Trees are Resistant to the Elements

On top of all of their other benefits, maple trees have been known to protect people and homes against more weather than just the sunThe maple tree itself may just help protect your home and yard from wind damage, harsh storms, and any other severe weather. 

Live maples are wind resistant thanks to their sturdiness, and are often planted in places where they can best offer this protection from the weather.

While we hope you don’t need to utilize your maple for any sort of shelter or protection, it’s good to know that you have a sturdy structure growing right behind you.

Should I Plant A Maple Tree?

Even as you read through the reasons that a maple tree can be a good shade tree, you might wonder if it’s the tree for you. 

So, is there any reason to avoid planting a maple tree? Well, like every other tree, there are some things to consider as you think about how much time and effort you will put into a maple tree’s growth.

For the sake of giving you as much information as we can, we want you to know what might be a bit more time-consuming when it comes to having a maple tree. 

Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Plant A Maple Tree

• Maple trees have a very shallow root system, which can end up causing cracks in sidewalks, uneven soil around the base of the tree, and tripping hazards for people and pets alike.
• Some maple species are invasive, so you want to make sure that you are picking a species that will not overtake other nearby plants.
• Maple trees are messy, thanks to the helicopter seeds that fall from their branches, and the sap that may drip from any wounds on the tree. 

None of these reasons are particularly, well…bad. They’re just things to keep in mind as you make your decision.

Learn more about the best maple trees by reading our article on the best maple trees to plant – it’ll give you a detailed walkthough on the best ones to plants and where they should go!

That’s All!

Okay, that’s it for now. Rest assured that we have lots more in the way of shade tree writing. So, if you still aren’t convinced that maple trees are the right shade trees for you, you can search our site for more articles on trees that make wonderful shade trees.

So, in closing, maple trees are great shade trees. Also, who doesn’t love maple syrup? It’s a win-win situation!

Let’s recap:

Why are maple trees such wonderful shade trees?

• Maple trees can grow across the United States (& North America)
• Maple trees have large canopies that provide excellent shade
• Maple trees make sap (AKA maple syrup)
• Maple trees grow quite quickly
• Maple trees do well in many soil types
• Maple trees are resistant to the elements

We want to congratulate you for taking the time to do your research before choosing your next shade tree. It’s always better to know before you grow!

It may take some time to get familiar with your tree of choice, but we are confident that you will choose the best species to offer you shade, among all the other great things that a tree has to offer you.

Until next time, good luck as you continue along your tree journey. Remember, we are right here with you.

References:

Bauce, E., & Allen, D. C. (1991). Etiology of a sugar maple decline. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 21(5), 686–693.

Godman, Richard M., Harry W. Yawney, and Carl H. Tubbs. “Acer saccharum Marsh. sugar maple.” Silvics of North America 2.654 (1990): 78.

Tremblay, M-F., Yves Mauffette, and Yves Bergeron. “Germination responses of northern red maple (Acer rubrum) populations.” Forest Science 42.2 (1996): 154-159.

You planted a maple tree in your landscape because of the shade it provides, and the beautiful fall colors. Possibly it was there when you bought the house, but now your maple’s leaves are turning brown. Assuming it’s not the autumn season, you want to know why the leaves have started turning that nasty shade of mud and what to do about it. 

When maple tree leaves turn brown, it could be because of scorch, too much watering, or not enough watering.

More specifically, there could be root damage, fungus, or problems with the soil that’s causing your maple tree’s leaves to turn brown. Assessing the issue and fixing it soon could save the tree before permanent damage occurs. 

There are several reasons your maple tree leaves could turn brown. A thorough inspection of the tree itself and the surrounding ground can help you understand what is causing the problem. If you can’t figure out what the problem is, you may need to consult with an arborist who can help save your trees. 

There are many varieties of maple trees found around the globe. Most of these varieties are hardy plants that rarely have problems with fungus or pests. When they get planted in non-native areas, though, the conditions can become difficult to deal with.

Most maple trees native to North America are cooler weather trees that don’t like too much heat. The red maple is one species that can handle harsher weather, and they are found as far south as Florida. 

No matter what kind of maple tree you have, when the leaves are turning brown before they should naturally, there’s a problem that needs to be addressed. These are the reasons your maple’s leaves are turning brown. 

1. The Leaves Are Scorched

While this can happen nearly any time during the growing season, it typically happens during the heat of summer. Scorch happens when the moisture in the leaves is removed faster than it can be replaced. 

Extreme heat can cause the leaves to dry out before the tree can pump more water into them, which will cause dried and brown outer edges, while the rest of the leaf turns yellow. As the problem continues to get worse, eventually the entire leaf can turn brown, and then it will fall off. 

High winds can cause the same damage, though it’s not typically as devastating as extreme heat combined with drought. Wind scorch happens when dry air hits the leaves with damaging gusts, causing the moisture in the leaves to evaporate out. 

Scorch can also happen if there is enough damage to tree roots or the tree trunk. When the tree cannot send water from the roots up to the leaves, the environment can dry out the leaves, leaving them susceptible to damage, which will cause them to turn brown. 

Once leaves have been damaged by scorch, they won’t repair themselves. Dried out, brown leaves will never turn green again, so don’t worry about making them look healthy again. 

What you can do is water your tree with a deep drenching. You want the water to penetrate up to two feet into the ground so the roots can get plenty of hydration. Be sure not to over-water the tree, because this can be as bad as the tree getting no water. 

Watering a tree about once a month to once every three weeks is sufficient during dry months as long as the water truly goes deep into the ground. Keep in mind tree roots surpass the canopy. Sometimes they grow several times as large as the top of the tree, so water these areas as well. 

2. Fungus Can Cause Brown Leaves

There are a few fungal infections that can cause a tree’s leaves to turn brown and unsightly. Some of these are not life-threatening to the tree and will clean up on their own, while others may need expert help. 

Anthracnose Fungus

Anthracnose is one fungus that causes maple tree leaves to brown prematurely. It can also make the leaves curl up, become distorted, have brown patches across the leaves, and make them drop early. 

This fungus typically shows itself in the lower and inner areas of the tree, but it can work its way farther into the higher branches. Wind or splashing water containing anthracnose spores can spread the fungus. 

If your maple tree is showing symptoms of this fungus, there’s not much you need to do unless it has infected your tree for a few years in a row, and shows significant leaf damage. When your tree has a prolonged experience with severe anthracnose and shows no signs of getting better, call a tree expert to treat it.

Follow these steps when treating this tree malady; water your trees sufficiently during the growing season, but keep water from splashing onto the leaves. Prune affected branches and leaves, and trim to allow more light to penetrate from the canopy. Then destroy any infected fallen leaves, as well as the trimmed leaves, to prevent the issue from reappearing.

Keep your tree as healthy as possible through this time and it should get better on its own. Just be sure to limit fertilization unless soil tests find the ground lacking in key minerals. 

Tar Spot

Tar spot is another fungus that can cause leaves to turn brown, in small circular spots, and then fall off early. This is another non-lethal leaf affliction, especially in larger, established trees. 

The spots may start about ⅛ of an inch in diameter, and look yellow or brown, but they can grow a little bitter as it spreads. Aside from giving the leaves an ugly appearance and causing them to fall early, this fungus doesn’t do lasting harm to the tree. 

To prevent the spread in the next growing season, rake the leaves up and dispose of them. They can be burned—assuming where you live allows for the burning of leaves—buried, or composted. The compost needs to be warm enough to eradicate the spores if you choose this method. 

Make sure your compost pile gets at least 140℉ and you turn the pile frequently to make sure all the leaves get “cooked.”

Fungicides don’t need to be used to treat most cases of tar spot. 

Verticillium Wilt

Verticillium wilt is something that can permanently damage a tree as there is very little that can be done about it. This is a soil fungus that enters through the tree’s roots, then prevents water and nutrients from flowing up through the tree to the leaves. 

Another problem with this affliction is that it can mimic other less destructive symptoms like scorch. Verticillium wilt can occur at any time during the growing season. It also can show up one year, then lay dormant the next year, but it won’t go away on its own.

Unfortunately, no current fungicides work against verticillium either.

Other symptoms of this fungus include loss of foliage on a single branch, which then stops living. It may infect a whole side of the tree. It can also cause stunted growth, and leaf wilting. 

Once it enters the plant, there is no real cure. If the tree is small and new, it is best to remove it and not plant anything in that area until the soil is treated. If the tree is sturdy and established, you can give the tree the best care you can to help it be able to fend the fungus off. 

Keep the tree watered well, but not over-watered, fertilize it with a high-phosphorus content fertilizer and remove any branches that are no longer showing signs of life. 

You may be able to treat the soil by a process that is called soil solarization. Soil solarization heats the soil using the sun’s heat to burn off bacteria, fungi, insects, nematodes, and other soil pests.

First, remove any grass or plants from the area. Then water the ground well. You want the water to create steam from the hot sun. The heat from the steam is what will rid the soil of the fungus.

Next, cover the area with a thick, preferably clear, plastic. Then bury the perimeter to keep it from blowing off and to keep the humidity and heat inside. Leave the plastic to “bake” for at least four weeks during the hottest days, then remove the plastic.

3. Drought Leads To Thirsty Leaves

Trees going through an extended drought can cause leaves to brown and eventually fall off. While trees are more tolerant than grasses and flowers, they can still succumb to the drying effects of a long dry summer. 

Usually, the leaves will wilt when water becomes scarce, followed by a yellowing. If the lack of water continues, then the leaves will brown and eventually fall off. 

Some species of maples are more tolerant of drought than others. The sugar maple is one tree that doesn’t do well in either dry or hot environments and will require more watering. 

If your area is experiencing less than normal rainfall and the soil is becoming hard and dry, you probably need to water your trees to keep them from dropping their leaves. Watering your trees when the leaves have started wilting can bring them back, but once they turn brown, the leaves won’t get green again. 

For more details on the subject, check out our article about why maple trees need so much water.

4. Too Much Water Can Cause Browning

Just as too little water can flip your green leaves to crusty brown, so can too much water. It can be difficult to overwater your trees, especially if you are watering your grass, but in times of extreme rains or floods, this can happen. 

If the environment is to blame for dumping too much water onto your trees, there’s not much you can do. You might be able to go out and implore the clouds to move on to other, drier areas, but I doubt they’ll listen. 

Too much water from rain most likely won’t permanently ruin your trees. Unless root rot sets in which a strong, established tree can usually overcome in the next season. All you can do is wait for the next growing season to see if the tree comes back or if it needs to be removed. 

5. Your Maple Tree Could Be Iron Deficient

Yes, iron is needed for healthy trees too. In fact, iron is an essential block in the formation of chlorophyll. Since chlorophyll gives plants their green color, when there is a distinct deficiency of iron, the leaves can become discolored. 

A mild lack of iron could cause the leaves to turn yellow or white, but if the nutrient is absent for an extended period, then the leaves will transition to bland brown. Since other issues can cause the leaves to change color, the only surefire way to tell if your soil is lacking iron is to do a soil test. 

To get extensive soil results such as pH levels, and several nutrients including iron, try out this MySoil – Soil Test Kit. 

A severe iron deficiency in your tree could become expensive to treat. If it’s caught in time, you can probably treat it with an iron supplement such as Southern Ag Chelated Liquid Iron. When a tree, especially a large tree, is severely lacking in iron, you may have to get a professional arborist out to treat it. 

They may do a deep iron soak by tapping into the soil about two feet and pumping in a liquid supplement, or they might add the mineral directly into the tree. After you rule out insects, water problems, leaf scorch, or fungus, then you might have to resort to iron supplements. 

If you’re looking for a maple tree fertilizer, take a look at our guide on when to fertilize your maple tree for some more helpful tips!

6. Overfeeding Can Lead To Brown Leaves

This happens to me at the dinner table and buffets, but you can also overfeed your trees, which can lead to several problems, including discolored and brown leaves. We want our trees to do well, that’s why we water them, prune branches, and add fertilizers. 

Adding too much fertilizer can stress the tree and cause more damage than good. In fact, most trees don’t need extra feeding because they get enough nutrients from their vast network of roots. Unless your soil is in terrible condition, tree fertilizers aren’t necessary. 

Mulching your grass and leaves into the ground and adding mulch to the base of your trees gives them plenty of nutrients to stay strong and healthy. Testing your soil will let you know if you truly need to add any extra nutrients to your yard.

If you need to add plant food for your trees, be sure to follow the recommended doses so you don’t accidentally feed it too much and cause problems like root rot, slowed growth, and brown leaves.

7. Root Damage Harms Maple Leaves

As well as the rest of the tree. When the roots get damaged, it prevents nutrients from reaching the leaves, which can cause brown leaves. 

Most trees, especially big, established specimens, can easily withstand a bit of root damage. When large sections get damaged either by digging, insects, or fungus, the tree can become stressed. If too much of the root system is torn up, then the entire tree might cease to live. 

While you will be able to tell while digging if you damaged the roots of a tree, insect damage might be harder to spot. Some insects can bore into a tree and down to its roots, causing damage. This can prevent nutrients and water from reaching the foliage. 

To spot insect damage, especially from boring pests, look for small round or D-shaped holes along the base of the tree or around the trunk. You might even see small piles of sawdust on the ground as well. 

Insects can damage smaller saplings much faster than mature trees, but a large enough infestation can create serious damage to the mightiest of trees. If you notice boring insects and they seem to cause a lot of harm to your tree, seek the advice of a professional tree service. 

You might be able to treat them yourself, but if you don’t get them all, another generation of insects could come back and infect the tree again.

If you do have root damage on your tree, then it may be a good reason to cut down your maple when you have the chance.

8. Girdling A Tree Is Bad Business

When a tree’s bark is removed all the way around, the tree is cut along the entire circumference, or something is wrapped around it and left there, that action is called girdling. This is bad for the tree and can cause fatal, irreversible damage. 

Sometimes this happens when using high-powered trimmers around trees, especially young trees. The strings can hit the tree with such force that it rips away the bark and growth areas of the tree, which prevents it from sending nutrients to the top. If this happens, most times it is fatal to the tree. 

Insects, beavers, deer, mice, or other animals can girdle a tree as they search for food. Alternately, if someone were to tie a tight rope or wire around a tree and leave it for several years, this could cause the same damage. The tree is strangled and starved of nutrition. 

There’s not much you can do to save a tree that has been girdled. Some trees, if the damage isn’t too extensive, might survive it, though most times you’ll have to replace them. 

For many damaged trees, there is still hope! Read our article on what to do to save a tree with stripped bark before you give up!

9. It Could Be Growing In A Non-Hardy Zone

Your maple tree might have been planted in a zone that isn’t conducive to hardy growth. Most maple trees like cooler climes. For instance, sugar maple trees love northern habitats and wouldn’t do well in Texas. 

When purchasing trees at local nurseries, they typically have plant varieties tolerant of local weather. However, with the ability to order nearly anything online, sometimes people get plants that aren’t made for their areas. 

While the trees might do alright during mild seasons, when the extremes hit, the trees will end up suffering. Unless the tree is potted and you’re able to move it inside when the weather outside is frightful, it might not survive more than a few seasons. 

When you are planting trees in your landscape, look for plants tolerant of your zone’s climate. Talk to the people working there as they will be able to tell you which plants and trees will work for your area. Doing so will cut down on the care you will have to provide these trees to keep them strong and healthy. 

When you’re ready to plant, check out our article on where to plant a maple tree to learn where and how to grow a healthy maple!

There You Have It!

When your maple trees start browning before fall, it could be several issues. Some are easy to fix, some need little to no attention, while other problems might require the help of professionals.

Your tree could simply need a good, occasional soaking, some soil supplements, or you might have to call a professional tree expert. Most times the problem can be fixed, and hopefully, by the next season at the latest, your maple trees will be full, lush, and gorgeous once again.

References:

Linzon, S. N., W. D. McIlveen, and R. G. Pearson. “Late-spring leaf scorch of maple and beech trees.” Plant Dis.;(United States) 56.6 (1972).  

Douglas, Sharon M. “Common diseases of maple.” The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (2009).

Horsley, Stephen B., et al. “Factors associated with the decline disease of sugar maple on the Allegheny Plateau.” Canadian Journal of Forest Research 30.9 (2000): 1365-1378.

Lucena, Juan J. “Synthetic iron chelates to correct iron deficiency in plants.” Iron nutrition in plants and rhizospheric microorganisms (2006): 103-128.

Maple syrup, molasses, treacle, pancake syrup; whatever you may refer to this product as maple syrup is a widely beloved addition to many dishes across North America. The sweet flavor is delicious without being too thick and sugary, making this a staple in many households.

Maple syrup is made from the sap of a maple tree, while only a few subspecies can produce sap for maple syrup. Sugar, black, red, silver, and boxelder maple trees all produce the kind of sap that can be turned into maple syrup. You should tap these trees during early spring for best results.

So, which species of maple produce sap that can be turned into syrup and are there any major differences? Truthfully, the sugar maple is only one of the many species that can produce sap, and there are many similarities and differences between it and its relatives. Don’t take our word for it; keep reading and learn for yourself!

Which 5 Maple Trees Are Best For Syrup?

While sugar maples are going to be the most obvious choice, there are also four other trees that fit into this category. In reality, syrup can come from many different types of trees, but maple syrup is a rare commodity when compared to all the varieties of trees out there that cannot produce it.

So, which other trees can produce sap that turns into maple syrup?  Here are the most common maple trees that can be tapped for maple syrup.

Boxelder Maple Tree

Research from Saint John’s University found that boxelder maples actually have a higher sugar content than even sugar maples do, at 2.59% average sugar concentration versus a sugar maple’s 1.72%. However, the sugar content does not necessarily mean that the flavor is going to be up to par with the expectations of the masses. Unless you’re fond of a sort of leafy addition to the flavor complexity of the syrup, that is.

Of course, depending on your methods of turning sap into syrup, this could potentially be eradicated to create equally delicious maple syrup.

This species can be picked out of the crowd by looking at the leaves. As opposed to the symmetrically lobed leaves of most maples, those of a boxelder tend to be much more compounded and clustered together. So, if you see a tree that sounds like it might be a boxelder, perhaps you will look elsewhere before tapping it for its sap.

Red Maple Tree

In something of a similar fashion to the boxelder maple, the red maple sap is less sweet. Due to its buds breaking, or expanding into flowers in the spring, earlier than those of the sugar maple, the red maple has less time for the sweetness of its sap to fully develop into a mature flavor.

This flowering early in the season not only gives the sap less time to develop but also means that the harvesting time for the sap is going to be shorter than that of some other maple trees.

You may be wondering how you can tell the difference between the species of maple tree, and one telltale sign of a red maple tree is the color of their samaras, often known as ‘helicopters,’ which are their double-winged seeds.

You can read more on the major differences between oak trees and maple trees here.

On many maples, the samaras are green during the springtime, while they are a noticeably brighter shade of red on their aptly named host, the red maple tree.

Silver Maple Tree

Silver maples grow quickly and can get pretty large, so they are a common species of maple across North America. The flavor of this tree’s syrup yield is often described as having butterscotch tones. Unlike some other species that may have a bitter or less developed flavor, the silver maple does well enough when it comes to holding its own. 

How can a silver maple tree be distinguished from its many relatives? The underside of the leaf holds the key to this question. The leaf itself is more similar to the shape of other maple leaves, boxelder’s aside, but its coloring is what helps to distinguish it as the silver maple. 

Haven’t you guessed it yet? That’s okay! The silver maple leaf, when viewed from the underside, has a silvery hue that sets it far apart from maple species like red and black.

So, not only is the hue this the tree’s namesake but a feature that helps define that it is, in fact, a silver maple tree. 

Black Maple Tree

This is an interesting one because it is sometimes referred to as the ‘black sugar maple.’ Why is that, exactly? 

Well, the University of Maine notes some authorities say that rather than being a completely separate species, the black oak maybe a subspecies of the sugar maple. 

The black maple is a bit less common than the sugar maple, but they do come from the eastern parts of North America, so it is not surprising to learn that they may be more related than once believed. 

Additionally, these trees have the ability to cross and form hybrids—just one more thing to make classification a little trickier at times, even more, the professionals. 

Let’s go back to the real question at hand. Does that mean anything when it comes to the black maple tree’s sap?

Yes and no.

The sap of a black maple is actually fairly similar to that of the closely related sugar maple, but it does produce less sap overall. So, though the flavor is similar, if you are factoring in the amount of sap yielded overall, sugar maple is going to be the standout choice.

Sugar Maple Trees Are Best For Syrup

Okay, so we keep talking about sugar maples but let’s really get into why they are so popular when it comes to producing sap and, in turn, syrup.

Sugar maples can be tapped just as any other broadleaf deciduous tree can, most commonly maples, but there are a few reasons why this is a better choice when it comes to all of your sap-related needs. 

Sugar maples have a sugar content that is close to 3%. It has been shown that, on average, 2.59% sugar content can be expected. 

Doesn’t sound like much? We get it, but in comparison to the 1% range of average sugar concentration in other syrups, it is clear that the sugar maple is the most popular for a reason. 

When it comes to both yield and flavor, sugar maple sap is sweeter and flows for longer than some others. 

Can You Eat Maple Syrup Straight From The Tree?

People have been eating raw sap in many capacities for longer than we know of, and it can be okay.

However, you’ll want to follow this good tip when it comes to tapping trees for sap. As you drill the hole for your tap, pay close attention to the color of the shavings. Light wood shavings indicate a healthy sap will come next, while dark shavings are a sign of sap that is no longer desirable for production of any kind.

Not only does this apply to wanting to use raw sap, but to ensure that you are not wasting your time processing sap that is not ideal.

There are a few other nuances you should follow if you’re going to eat maple sap straight from the tree. Better yet, take a peek at our guide on how to eat syrup straight from the tree!

4 Steps To Tapping For Maple Syrup

Maple syrup is delicious and amazing, but the sap has to be retrieved before this wonderful sweet treat can be enjoyed.

If you already have a sugar maple, tapping the tree is a great thing to do. However, planting new sugar maples is not recommended due to the hindrance they cause in the growth of other tree species. 

Luckily, we are going to break down the steps for you below. If you’re interested in tapping trees locally (of course, you definitely are,) go and search your state’s local governance pages for guides on the deciduous trees near you and get tapping instructions!

1. Tap Your Tree During Early Spring

The early spring months are the best time to tap for sap. This is because the fluctuation in temperatures during this early stage of the season helps the sap to run more easily when a tree is being tapped. 

At night, temperatures will ideally fall near or below freezing while the daylight hours are a bit more temperate, in the 40 to 50-degree range. 

Any time as early as January, depending on the extremity of the weather in your area, through as late as April is going to be the ideal period to tap your tree. March, realistically, is going to be the safest bet if you are just tapping a tree or two. The sap runs more easily during the late winter/spring.

If you’ve got multiple on your property and are hoping to yield a bunch of syrup in the end, go ahead and start early. It’s all up to you!

When does the maple tapping season end?

When temperatures stay above freezing and leaf buds appear, the season is over. This is why red maples are not nearly as reliable; their buds appear early on in the season, leaving next to no time to procure their sap.

Keep in mind that you should follow the weather in your area, more so than a specific month, to decide when you are going to tap your trees.

2. Find The Right Sized Maple Tree to Tap

You’ll want a tree that is mature enough to be tapped. If the tree is too young, you could severely harm or even kill it by drilling into it in the way that is necessary for tapping. 

The Missouri Department of Conservation tells us that a maple tree that has matured to at least 4 feet tall and 10 inches in diameter is alright to start being tapped for sap. While fully mature trees can handle a few taps at once, but no more than 3 is advised, using a single tap is thought to yield the best results. 

By using one tap, the tree will not be overworked and can provide sap more quickly and of better quality in the long run.

3. Place The Tap To Get Syrup

Now, onto the fun part.

Your hole for tapping sap should be drilled between 2 to 4 feet off the ground, hence the reason that a tree needs to be at least 4 feet to be safely and successfully tapped. You’ll want to be able to place your spile (the spout that drains the sap) in a bit of an upward direction, as well. 

The spile should go a few inches into the tree in order to reach the sap but not go too far, which might cause extra stress on the tree. This placement will allow the sap to flow directly into your bucket with ease.

4. Check Your Bucket Frequently For Sap

Speaking of your bucket, you’ll want to check at least one time a day. Some days, you may have plenty of space in your bucket and not need to collect anything, but other days might require you to collect sap more frequently. 

This also all depends on the size of the bucket you are using. Something between 1 and 2 gallons will need to be checked much more regularly than a 3 to 4-gallon bucket. That extra gallon or two is the difference between collecting sap multiple times a day and being able to check once daily, even taking a day off here and there.

Now, processing the sap is a whole different story. This will depend more upon which type of tree you obtained your sap from and what you want your syrup to turn out like, among other factors. But we hope this helps you find a good starting point in your syrup production journey!

That’s All For Now!

Now that we’ve learned a little more about the tree tapping process, from which trees produce sap to how to obtain the sap, it’s clear that this is a relatively rare opportunity. Not all trees produce sap and, while there are other tappable trees, maples are a species to be celebrated for their delicious sugary production.

Remember that sugar maples are always going to be your best bet when it comes to producing and tapping for syrup.

However, black, red, silver, and boxelder maple trees can also produce syrup. There are a few other maple trees that can produce maple syrup – but these are your best bet!

They may yield less sap than sugar maples, but they’ll do the trick well enough. Especially if you’ve got one of these species in your backyard and are not looking to produce a large quantity of syrup but rather want a fun family project or simply your own jar of maple syrup.

Maple sap, maple syrup, and any product of these baser items are relatively easy to make but are fun and add some flavor to any spring day.

References

Malone, C. (1976). Tapping the Sugar Maple–Learning and Appreciating. Communicator.

Perkins, T. D., & van den Berg, A. K. (2009). Maple syrup—Production, composition, chemistry, and sensory characteristics. Advances in food and nutrition research, 56, 101-143. 

van den Berg, A. K., Perkins, T. D., Isselhardt, M. L., & Wilmot, T. R. (2016). Growth rates of sugar maple trees tapped for maple syrup production using high-yield sap collection practices. Forest Science, 62(1), 107-114.

Maple trees are known for their beautiful fall foliage and for providing shade in the backyard. This American icon is relatively easy to grow and care for, but choosing the right time to fertilize is important to your maple tree’s health!

The best time to fertilize an established maple tree is in early spring before the buds break or late fall after the leaves have already dropped. When first planting a maple tree, fertilizer should not be used until the tree becomes established. Slow-release fertilizers are the best type to use.

Even though established maple trees do okay on their own, an application of fertilizer can help them thrive. Below, we’ll go over when to fertilize your maple tree and which fertilizers to use!

Do Maple Trees Like Fertilizer?

Before we get into when to fertilize your maple tree, let’s establish if you even need to fertilize it!

Maple trees can grow in a variety of conditions, soil types, pH levels, and hardiness zones. There are over a hundred different species, some ranging from just 8 feet tall to over 100 feet tall.

Despite this vast diversity, all maple trees have a few things in common when it comes to fertilizer.

Established Maples Don’t Need Too Much Fertilizer

When first planting a maple tree, the little seedling has a tough few years ahead of it. It must adjust to the new soil type, grow roots to anchor the tree, and gather enough nutrients to start growing.

Established maples don’t have this problem and can focus more on vertical canopy growth rather than root growth.

Once a maple tree is established, it doesn’t need much to survive. Usually, the nutrients in the native soil will be enough to keep your maple tree healthy.

That being said, if you want your maple tree to grow at its absolute fastest growth rate, a dose of fertilizer can help. Fertilizers that contain nitrogen will encourage your maple tree to grow taller and produce more leaves, giving your maple a fuller appearance.

If your maple tree seems to be growing slower than it should be, it might need a dose of nitrogen-containing fertilizer along with probably a TON of water.

Newly Planted Maple Trees Do Not Need Fertilizer

Planting a new tree is always an exciting time. You stand back and just imagine all the shade and fall foliage you’ll get to benefit from when the tree is fully grown.

While exciting, planting a new tree can also be a bit tricky. You may be tempted to provide your new maple tree with fertilizer to help it grow, but this can do more harm than good.

In general, fertilizers encourage the tree to grow new shoots and leaves, but it does not encourage root growth very much. 

When maple trees are first getting established, they need to focus on root growth instead of shoot growth.

It can be especially tempting to fertilize new maple trees that don’t seem to be growing fast. Don’t worry, this is totally normal! When maples focus on root growth, they will have a slower growth rate.

According to an article in the Journal of Arboriculture & Urban Forestry, fertilizing newly planted red maples does not speed up establishment periods, increase trunk growth, or increase shoot growth.

If you’d like to learn more, take a look at our maple tree timeline to see how long it takes for full growth.

Fertilizing Can Be Beneficial

Just because maple trees can survive without fertilizer doesn’t mean they will thrive. Fertilizer can be beneficial for maple trees for a few different reasons:

• Iron deficiency: Maples, in particular, have trouble getting enough iron from high-pH soils. In this case, an iron fertilizer can help spruce your maple right up!

Southern Ag’s Chelated Liquid Iron comes in a 16-ounce container. The liquid must be diluted with water and then can be applied around the maple tree’s drip line or applied directly to any yellowing leaves.

• Faster growth: If you want to encourage your maple tree to grow faster, fertilizers can help give your tree enough nutrients to speed up its growth rate.
  
• General maintenance: Even if your maple tree is not experiencing any nutrient deficiencies, a regular application of fertilizer can improve the overall health of your tree, making it more resistant to pests and other unwanted ailments.

How Often Should I Fertilize My Maple Tree?

Fertilizers provide maple trees with the nutrients they need to grow and thrive, but fertilizing at the wrong time can be harmful to maples and have unwanted consequences.

Let’s take a closer look at the best time to fertilize your maple tree and how often to do it. 

Fertilize Your Maple Tree Annually

Some trees (such as citrus fruit trees) need fertilized multiple times a year. Maple trees are a little different and will benefit from just a single yearly application of fertilizer.

Fertilizing more than once a year can overburden the roots of your maple tree, giving them more nutrients than they could use. This can cause root burn. Some of the symptoms of root burn include:

• Stunted growth
• Brown coloration on edge of leaves
• Discolored roots

A single application of fertilizer will benefit most maple trees. Following the directions on the label can help you avoid giving too little or too much fertilizer to your tree.

According to Colorado State University, slow-release fertilizers are better than water-soluble fertilizers for shade trees such as maples.

If you find fertilizing isn’t helping your maple tree, then you may have a reason to cut it down.

Some Maples Need Fertilization Twice A Year

We mentioned before that most established maple trees do not need a ton of fertilizer. However, there are some instances where maples may need fertilizing twice a year.

The main reason you would fertilize your maple tree twice a year is if there is a nutrient deficiency in the soil where it is planted.

You can perform a soil test to see what kind of nutrients are lacking in your backyard’s soil. Alternatively, you can wait and see what kind of symptoms pop up on your maple tree before deciding to apply fertilizer once or twice a year.

Some of the symptoms that your maple tree is nutrient deficient include:

• Stunted growth
• Distorted, discolored, or small leaves
• Early leaf drop
• Yellowing leaves
• Brittle branches or leaves

It’s more important to catch these symptoms on young trees than on old ones, but even older trees can benefit from fertilizer when they are showing signs of stress.

Fertilize Your Maple When All The Leaves Have Fallen

Some maples may need to be fertilized twice a year while others may not need any fertilizer. If you decide to fertilize your maple, you’ll want to make sure to do it at the right time.

One of the best times to fertilize your maple tree is in the late fall after all the leaves have fallen off.

It’s important to wait until the leaves have fallen. Fertilizing before this will prevent your maple tree from hardening off for the winter. Applying fertilizer after the maple has been prepared for winter will allow the roots to absorb and then store the nutrients for use during the winter.

Fertilize Before Periods Of Rapid Growth

Spring is a time when everything is waking back up for the year. New shoots, buds, and flowers are forming and the surrounding landscape finally looks alive again!

If you decide to fertilize your maple tree in the spring, you’ll want to fertilize well before any buds break open.

It’s recommended to fertilize in early spring to give your maple tree the nutrients it needs to form flowers and continue to grow.

You should avoid fertilizing your maple tree in late spring, summer, and early fall.

What Are The Best Maple Tree Fertilizers?

Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients when it comes to maple trees, but not all nitrogen is the same when it comes to fertilizers.

Slow Release Organic Fertilizers Work Great

There are two broad categories of fertilizers available—slow-release and quick-release. One is water-soluble (quick release) while the other is not water-soluble (slow release).

Quick-release fertilizers may sound better because the nutrients are immediately available, but these types of fertilizers aren’t great for trees like maples that do not require a lot of fertilizer.

Instead of quick-releasing water-soluble fertilizers, you’ll want a slow-release fertilizer such as Milorganite 32 lb. Slow-Release Nitrogen Fertilizer. It comes as granules that can be spread on the soil around your maple tree.

No matter which fertilizer you choose, it’s important to make sure your maple tree has enough water to dilute the nutrients. Learn more about why maple trees need so much water (and when to water them).

Fertilizer Spikes Work Well Too

Fertilizer spikes aren’t any different than normal fertilizer except for how you deliver the fertilizer to your maple tree. While many fertilizers come as granules, spikes are driven into the ground.

Jobe’s Fertilizer Spikes comes with 15 spikes and has an NPK ratio of 16-4-4 (16% nitrogen, 4% phosphorous, 4% potassium).

Spikes are an excellent choice for a maple tree fertilizer because they release nutrients slowly and they’re good for the environment. Spikes are far less likely to enter stormwater runoff than granular fertilizers.

You can read more here about the best maple tree fertilizers and how to use them.

That’s A Wrap!

Maple trees might be bumping elbows with dogwood and oaks for the #1 spot for backyard trees. They provide shade and plenty of interesting colors in the fall.

In general, maple trees do not require a lot of fertilizer to stay healthy. However, an annual application can benefit some maples.

The best times to fertilize your maple tree include early spring, about 5 weeks before buds break, or late fall after the leaves have fallen off the tree.

Some maple trees may need applications both in the spring and the fall, but most only need one per year. 

Maple trees will benefit more from slow-release fertilizers or spikes than water-soluble fertilizers. You can always contact your local arborist to get a better idea of what kind of fertilizer you should be using and how often to use it.

If you’re considering planting a new maple tree, take a peak at our list of the best maple trees to plant!

References

Day, S. D., & Harris, J. R. (2007). Fertilization of Red Maple (Acer rubrum) and littleleaf Linden (Tilia cordata) Trees at Recommended Rates Does Not Aid Tree Establishment. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry, 33(2), 113-121.

Lee, JS. Relationship of root biomass and soil respiration in a stand of deciduous broadleaved trees—a case study in a maple tree. j ecology environ 42, 19 (2018).

R A Lautenschlager, John H Pedlar, John A Winters, and Cathy M Nielsen. Ice storm damage: Effects of competition and fertilization on the growth of sugar maple trees. The Forestry Chronicle. 79(1): 63-69.

Smith LJ, Stephan K. Nitrogen Fertilization, Stand Age, and Overstory Tree Species Impact the Herbaceous Layer in a Central Appalachian Hardwood Forest. Forests. 2021; 12(7):829.

When planting a new tree of any variety, it’s important to understand how to meet its needs. This is crucial when your soil contains a substance like clay, which can present unique challenges.

Maple trees can be grown in a variety of soil types, including clay. You can help your maple thrive by ensuring the soil has appropriate ratios of clay and other amendments, avoiding soil compaction, making sure there is plenty of organic matter in your clay mix, and avoiding overwatering.

Without further ado, here are 5 tips on how to grow your maple tree in clay soil!

1. Buy A Pre-made Clay Mix To Plant Your Maple Tree In

Depending on the quality of your native soil, sometimes buying a pre-made mix to plant your maple tree in is the best option. This can help you to make sure that your maple tree will be planted in soil that will encourage rather than hinder its growth.

Alternatively, if your ground soil consists mostly of clay, it might be a good idea to buy a soil amendment or specialized soil that you can mix in with the clay soil before planting your tree.

Products such as Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Trees and Shrubs, which you can use to create a 50/50 combination of the native soil and the specialized soil, are a popular choice for many people.

2. Add Clay To Existing Soil

Although clay soil has reputation for being difficult to grow trees and shrubs in, it does also have quite a few benefits it can offer to a home gardener or landscaper.

Clay soil is generally better at retaining moisture than other types of soil and can also help to provide key nutrients that your trees need to thrive.  

It’s not unheard of to add clay to the existing soil when planting a new maple tree, particularly if your native soil is extremely sandy.

3. Don’t Compact The Clay When Planting Your Maple Tree 

Clay soil is already incredibly cohesive by nature, often making it challenging to grow healthy trees and shrubs without additional effort or resources (such as soil amendments.)

That being said, there are things you can do to lessen the potential downsides of planting in this type of soil.

One such trick is not compacting the clay when you first plant your maple tree. Make sure the clay soil is not packed in too tightly around your tree, since this could impact the tree’s long-term growth.

It’s also important to avoid soil compaction after your maple tree has been planted. Try to avoid walking too much on the soil immediately surrounding your maple tree if possible, since an overabundance of foot traffic has been shown to compact soil. 

You might also consider adding mulch to the top layer of soil since this can help prevent soil compaction (and also provide other benefits as well, which we will discuss momentarily). 

4. Make Sure There Is Plenty Of Organic Matter In Your Maple Clay Mix 

In soils with very high clay content, it can sometimes be difficult for the root system to properly spread out. Therefore, in order to ensure that your maple trees form healthy root structures and grow well, it’s important to make sure that there’s plenty of organic matter in your soil mixture.

Organic matter such as compost can help to aerate the soil, and can also encourage more robust growth in your trees by giving them access to important nutrients.

Having enough organic matter in your soil is also crucial to ensure good water drainage, and can also help prevent the clay soil from sticking together and becoming compacted.

5. Keep An Eye On Your Soil When Watering

Maple trees prefer soil that is moist but also well-drained, so it’s important to keep an eye on your soil when watering your maple tree to ensure that the moisture levels stay within acceptable amounts.

Don’t let your soil become waterlogged. Clay soil can also become sticky and compacted when it absorbs too much water, so also be on the lookout for that.

If your clay soil begins sticking together when you water, it might be a good idea to mix in some compost or other organic matter to help loosen up the sticky soil particles. 

Be careful when digging around your maple tree, however, as you don’t want to risk damaging its delicate root system. 

You’ll also want to pay attention to other plants that are growing under your maple tree. Here are 15 plants NOT to grow under a maple tree!

Do Maple Trees Like Clay Soil? 

According to this Utah State University, there are over a hundred different varieties of maple trees, each with its own unique properties and care needs.

Given this, it might seem impossible to answer a question such as “do maples like clay soil“? After all, with so many types of maple trees out there, how can you definitively say one way or the other?

Thankfully, when it comes to soil, there are some consistencies across the board, which makes selecting planting and growing a maple of your own fairly straightforward.

If you do end up wanting to move your maple tree throughout this process, take a look at our guide on how to transplant your maple!

Most Maples Can Do Fine In Moderate Clay Soils 

For the most part, maple trees can be planted in moderate clay soils and do perfectly fine. Most varieties are hardy and adaptable, and as long as they are properly cared for and are within the appropriate USDA Hardiness Zone for their species, they will grow well.

That being said, some specific species of maple trees (such as the paperbark maple and the amur maple) can actually do quite well in clay soil.

Shantung maples in particular are also incredibly adaptable, as are Tartarian maples. These trees can be grown in clay soil and are also fairly drought-tolerant in comparison to other maple species. Hedge maples can also be a good choice because of their ability to grow well in compacted soil.

Only Some Maples Can Tolerate Soils Heavy In Clay 

While most maple trees are fairly adaptable and can acclimatize to growing in different types of soil, certain species are not as tolerant of soils heavy in clay.

Sugar maples in particular don’t usually thrive in clay soil, so if you have this soil type it might be best to consider a different variety of maple for your landscaping needs.

Luckily, there are many species of maples to choose from when it comes to landscaping, many of which are far more tolerant of clay soil.

Additionally, you will need to be very careful if your clay soil has high levels of iron; maple trees are incredibly sensitive to iron. (Utah State University also notes that maples can fall victim to iron chlorosis.)

If you suspect that your clay soil might have too much iron in it, you should take steps to amend the soil accordingly.

Here’s our full maple tree timeline if you have a new maple tree and are wondering if its on the proper growth path.

Most Maples Prefer A Moderate Soil

While maple trees are fairly adaptable, for the most part they prefer moderate soil.

Ideally, when planting a maple tree, the soil will be well-drained, moist, and loose enough to allow the roots plenty of room to spread out and anchor in the ground. 

Additionally, maple trees typically prefer acidic soil and will do very well in soils with pH levels anywhere from 5 to 7. (They can tolerate levels as low as 3.7 or 3.8, but of course, this is not ideal.)

Maple trees planted in soil that is not acidic enough or with high alkalinity levels will not grow as well and might even begin to show discoloration in their leaves over time.

Try to avoid planting a maple tree in soil with a pH over 7.3 or so, since they will not thrive in these conditions. Soil with high alkalinity can have a negative impact on how effectively maple trees are able to absorb key nutrients through their roots.

Most Maple Trees Tend To Adapt To Whatever Soil They’re Planted In!

As you’ve likely realized by now from the information we’ve shared with you thus far, most species of maple trees are good at adapting to whatever type of soil they find themselves in.

This adaptability is one of the many reasons why these beautiful trees are such a popular choice for landscaping in all sorts of different locations and climates.

Maple trees can thrive in any type of soil as long as it is fertile, well-drained, and has the correct pH levels.

You may find that your maple tree needs certain nutrients – which if it does, you can take a look at our piece on the best maple tree fertilizers!

What Type Of Soil Do Maples Like? 

Maples Tend To Like Semi-Moist Soils

As mentioned earlier, maple trees (regardless of the specific species) tend to like moist or semi-moist soils.

In fact, in most cases, maples prefer and will do better in thoroughly moist soil in comparison to dry soil (with some species even thriving in bogs, swamps, marshes, and wetlands).

It’s important to plant your maple tree in soil that is capable of retaining moisture.

If your soil has a tendency to dry out quickly, you will want to water your maple tree frequently to make sure it doesn’t experience drought stress.

Click here to learn why maple trees need so much water (and when to water them!)

Maples Like Some Clay In Their Soil

As we discussed earlier, while having heavy clay soil can be detrimental, having some clay in the soil can offer benefits such as better moisture retention.

Since maples do best in moist soil, having some clay mixed in can be a good idea. 

Maples Like Loamy Soil

Loamy soil, by definition, is a type of soil that has equal amounts of sand, clay, and organic matter. Since this is precisely the sort of soil that maple trees often do best in, it should come as no surprise to learn that maples like loamy soil!

Loamy soils are often the best choice for most types of maple trees because the balance between clay soil and other types of soil (and organic matter such as compost) can help to provide you with the benefits of those soils while mitigating the potential downsides.

For example, a good loamy soil will give you good water retention and provide lingering moisture thanks to the clay content while also allowing for good drainage thanks to the other soils.

Loamy soil is also more loosely packed, which allows for better soil aeration (while also helping to minimize concerns relating to soil compaction).

Ultimately, while maple trees are very adaptable, there’s no denying the fact that they often grow best in loamy soil. 

That’s A Wrap!

And there we have it! As you can see, maple trees are incredibly adaptable when it comes to the type of soil they grow in, which makes growing a maple tree in clay soil a definite possibility as long as you’re aware of the necessary steps you might need to take to keep your tree healthy.

Remember, if you want to successfully grow a maple tree in clay soil it’s important to:

• Add a soil amendment to your clay soil if necessary (or add a bit of clay soil to your planting area if your native soil is sandy)
• Utilize compost and other organic matter to encourage soil aeration
• Do not compact your clay soil
• Keep an eye on your soil when watering
• When in doubt, do additional research. Books such as Building Soil: A Down-to-Earth Approach and Improving Your Soil can help offer you more insight into the importance of your soil and how to adjust your soil to the needs of your trees and other plants.

References

Brown, J. C. (n.d.). Physiology of plant tolerance to alkaline soils – brown – 1978 – ACSESS.

Dupuy, L., Fourcaud, T., & Stokes, A. (1970, January 1). A numerical investigation into the influence of soil type and root architecture on tree anchorage. SpringerLink.

Maple trees are a classic tree in the United States, particularly in the northeast region. They are easy to grow, provide wonderful shade, and produce brilliant and beautiful fall foliage that is famous worldwide. Caring for a maple tree can be easy in the right environment, but if you do not live in the right climate, or you are living in an area experiencing drought, you might find that the fall foliage is not as brilliant as it could be due to lack of adequate water.

Maple trees need a great deal of water. They take water in through their roots and lose it through their leaves, especially in the warm months. If your home is getting little rain, you are experiencing a drought, or very warm temperatures, run a soaker hose to your maple tree 1-2x per week.

Maple trees need even more water than some other tree varieties. If you have a maple tree in your yard or garden, or even if you are just thinking of planting one, read on to learn about how to keep these beautiful trees hydrated year-round!

The Varying Water Needs Of Maple Trees

All trees need water to grow and stay healthy, plus they need water to make sure their leaves (if they are deciduous trees) go through a normal annual cycle of fall foliage and new buds in the spring.

All trees are affected by how well and how much they can grow depending on whether their water needs are met. There is also some concern that changes in our global climate might affect how much water maple trees get.

Maple trees like to live in cooler climates where their leaves do not dry out.

A sign of a dehydrated maple tree can start with leaves that look dry, curl up, or even look dead. If your maple tree’s leaves look unhealthy, considering its water availability is a great place to start in attempting to solve the problem.

Maple trees are quite interesting plants. You can learn more about the maple tree growth timeline and facts in this article!

Watering Young Maple Trees

While mature maple trees also need water, the most vulnerable time for a maple tree is during the first couple of years of its life.

If you have recently planted a maple tree seedling or sapling, water it regularly no matter what type of weather you are experiencing (unless you are experiencing daily heavy rainfall that is assuredly providing a great deal of water to your young tree.)

According to Utah State University Extension Yard and Garden, it is imperative for the health of your maple tree’s canopy and root growth that you water the soil around your new tree so that the soil is moist a full foot underground. If the soil takes a lot of water to be watered that deep, you may have to water your tree more often than even once a day.

Once your maple tree is well-established, which usually takes somewhere around three years, it will not require as much water, but it probably will still require some watering unless you live in a very rainy place.

According to the city of Seattle, tree saplings need 30 to 40 gallons of water per week, split into two waterings. This can vary, of course, depending on the type of tree and the climate you live in. In Seattle, for example, there is a lot of rain, so this recommendation might be different if you live somewhere that is less humid than Seattle, a very humid city.

The Virginia Department of Forestry provides this guideline: saplings or trees that have just been planted need to be watered at least two or three times per week with the amount of water varying depending on how thick the trunk of the tree is.

The thickness of the trunk of the tree is called the caliper, and a young tree needs about two or three gallons of water for every inch of the caliper. This guide can help you determine how much to water your young maple tree.

Controlling The Water If Your Tree Is In A Container

If you are growing a maple tree sapling in a container like a raised bed or a pot, you have more control over the amount of water in the soil and, while your tree requires a great deal of water, it is possible in these cases to over-water the tree.

To avoid this, check how damp the soil is throughout the pot. If the soil is very moist, you may not need to water the tree that day.

Another way to keep from over-watering a container sapling is to put a layer of rocks or bark at the bottom of the pot. This will encourage the water in your maple tree’s soil to drain, protecting the young tree’s roots.

Addressing Drought With Maple Trees: Maybe Not As Obvious As You Would Think

You probably think of drought as something that comes with scorched earth, dry and cracked dirt, and very dry days for a long period. But maple trees can suffer from drought in as little as a few days.

If you think that watering your tree once a week or even less during the hot summer months is enough, you are probably wrong.

According to Purdue’s University Extension office, a red maple tree that has a soil ball of about two feet wide needs about twenty gallons of water every day.

Then the tree will lose a few gallons of water just through the leaves in a single day if the temperatures are warm. So it could only take a couple of days for the tree to be without enough water.

Make sure that, no matter what type of climate you live in, you are paying attention to the amount of rain your home is getting and the temperatures throughout the day. If it is hot outside or it hasn’t rained in a while, you probably need to water your maple tree.

Some Easy Ways To Water Your Maple Tree

Watering your maple tree might be enjoyable for some people who might find it relaxing to take the garden hose out and water the tree each day.

But some people might view this as a chore, plus there may be some times that you are not home to water the tree or you just forget.

To make sure your tree is watered regularly, there are some steps you can take to make the process easier or to even automate it.

Using A Sprinkler System

Sprinkler systems are probably the easiest and most reliable way to water your yard or garden, but they are not always as easy for watering trees.

Unless you have already placed a sprinkler head or two or three near the base of your tree, your sprinkler system is unlikely to produce enough water for your maple tree’s needs.

Most sprinkler systems are set up to provide water for lawn grass or flower beds, not enormous trees like most varieties of maple trees.

Therefore, if you rely on an already-installed sprinkler system, you are probably not getting enough water into the soil around your tree.

Remember that you are aiming for a whole foot of wet soil around the entire base of your tree, so that is a lot of water!

If you can adjust your sprinklers to meet this need, that is great. Just program them to run on a schedule that keeps the tree watered. This may mean too much water to other parts of your yard, though, so again, a sprinkler system that is not very customizable for different zones may not work well for this watering task.

Using A Hose-Attached Sprinkler

Sprinkler systems can be great, but if you need to move them around, that isn’t an option. One solution to the immobility of an installed in-ground sprinkler system is to use a sprinkler head attachment on your garden hose.

For watering the base of your tree, your best option is probably to go with a sprinkler that provides a lot of water to a relatively small area.

Remember, you aren’t trying to water your whole lawn; you are trying to provide a concentrated amount of water to the base of your maple tree.

You can attach a sprinkler head to your hose, then place it under your tree and let it run until you have reached the desired amount of water. One problem with this method is that this will probably only water one side of your tree.

You may need to move the sprinkler once or even twice during a watering session to provide complete coverage around the circumference of the tree trunk.

If your tree is still a sapling and therefore still quite small, you might be able to set up a sprinkler that can water the entire tree. But if the tree is mature, this is probably not the best option.

Using A Soaker Hose

If you want to provide a lot of water to a specific area, a soaker hose is a great option, no matter whether you are watering a mature maple tree or a small sapling.

A soaker hose is exactly what it sounds like: it’s a garden hose that soaks the surrounding ground. These hoses have strategically placed holes in them that let water out in a continual stream all down the length of the hose, so anywhere you lay the hose gets water.

Since your goal is to soak the ground around your maple tree, a soaker hose can be ideal.

Another bonus of soaker hoses is that, if you buy one that is long enough, you can wrap them around and around the base of the tree in concentric circles, providing water to a large amount of area that is sure to soak the soil above your maple tree’s entire root system.

The Linex flat soaker hose, which is 50 feet long and able to be wrapped around the base of your tree in multiple layers that can spiral out to provide water to the soil on top of the roots, too. Another option is the Rocky Mountain Goods flat soaker hose, which is also 50 feet long.

To use the soaker hose, just attach it to the faucet on your house or to a splitter if you plan to use another garden hose at the same time. Then make sure it stretches to your maple tree. You may need to buy a longer hose if you have a long way to go before you even get to the tree.

Wrap the soaker hose around the base of the tree in concentric circles, sort of like a spiral out from the tree trunk. Leave a few inches between each circle. Turn on the hose and the ground will be soaked. How long you need to leave the hose on can vary, so check the soil after your first watering and adjust the time from there.

You can also adjust the frequency of watering. Some trees may need to be watered every day, while maple trees in more humid climates may not need water as often.

Remember, young trees need more water than mature trees, whereas larger trees will need a larger area covered by concentric circles, as their underground root systems are much bigger.

Using An Automated Timer For Watering

While the soaker hose systems, or even the sprinkler attachment to your hose, can run for hours and hours with no attention from you, you will still have to remember to turn the hose on every day.

Or whenever you need to, depending on your determined watering schedule. You also have to remember to turn it off, otherwise, you may face an unintended, very high water bill!

There will probably also be times you are not home or not able to turn the water on and off. Also, if you go out of town for any length of time, you don’t want your maple tree to suffer a lack of water because you are not there to turn on the hose.

For these reasons, it can be very beneficial to install and program a timer for your hose. These timers, like the Orbit Single-Outlet Hose Watering Timer, can be programmed for a day of the week, a time of day to turn the hose on, and the length of time to let the water run before turning the hose off.

This is a brilliant solution to help you water your tree regularly and to make sure you don’t forget. This system also helps ensure that your maple tree gets enough water, but not too much.

Signs That Your Maple Tree Needs More Water

To know how much water your tree needs in varying seasons throughout the year, it is helpful to know what signs to look for. Your maple tree could be thirsty, or it could suffer from root rot from too much water.

Here are some signs to help you learn more about how to recognize signs of a healthy maple tree or one that needs a little help.

Signs That Your Maple Tree Needs More Water

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, some signs of trees that need more water can include these symptoms:

• The leaves on your tree have started to wilt.
• Your tree’s canopy is smaller than it used to be.
• The leaves of your maple tree look “scorched,” meaning they look like they have burned in the sunlight.
• The leaves of your maple tree are changing color too soon or are falling off long before fall.

If any of these things are happening to your maple tree, check the surrounding soil. You may even need to dig deep into the soil, as it will be hard to know without digging whether the soil is still moist a foot down into the ground or container.

You can also just pay attention to the soil at the base of your maple tree. If the soil is dry, your tree needs water. If the soil cracks, your tree needs a lot of water! Adjust your watering amount and schedule accordingly.

Sometimes, you will need to give your maple tree extra water for a while until it is back to a healthy baseline when you can resume your regular watering schedule.

The amount of sun and shade your maple tree gets is important too. The more sun your variety needs, the more water it will eventually require. Check out this article on different maple trees and how much sun they need!

Times To Pay Special Attention To Watering Your Maple Tree

Sometimes, your maple tree may need more water than usual. These times can be crucial for the health of your tree.

When Your Maple Tree Has Tar Rot

There are some common ailments that can affect maple trees, and, while these problems are not always serious, they can affect the look and health of the tree overall. One such common problem with maple trees is tar spot.

Tar spot is very common in maple trees and is characterized by, as the name indicates, dark spots on the tree’s leaves. According to the state of Connecticut, the best ways to prevent tar spot from coming back in the spring are to make sure you get rid of all the fallen leaves from your maple, then be very diligent about watering your maple tree.

When You Want To Ensure Bright Fall Foliage

It is entirely possible that you planted a maple tree solely because you want to see those beautiful characteristic yellow, orange, or red leaves in the fall. But something that can prevent your maple tree’s leaves from changing or make the colors less vibrant is a lack of water throughout the year before autumn.

According to Harvard Forest, trees that have not had enough water throughout the summer may lose their leaves before they even change color, or they might just not have as much color when the leaves change.

Also, too much water during the early days of fall can be problematic, as rain can cause the leaves to fall early before they reach peak foliage color.

According to the University of Tennessee Extension, trees that do not get enough water in the summer can be late to change the color of their leaves. And trees that get a lot of rain right around the time their leaf colors are due to peak might not change color as brightly.

While you cannot control how much or how little rain your maple tree gets, you can at least help make sure it gets enough water and you can make sure that you are not the reason it has gotten too much water.

If you want to ensure bright, colorful fall foliage that doesn’t fade or fall away too soon, or that doesn’t arrive too late, monitor your maple tree’s water supply throughout the year.

Remember, fall foliage is also affected by water amounts in the summer months, so it won’t work to wait until autumn to correct watering issues.

That’s A Wrap!

Now you are ready to keep your maple tree watered adequately, but without giving it too much water. You can help your tree grow stronger, healthier, and faster by ensuring that it gets enough water. You can also aid your mature maple tree in warding off disease and reaching peak fall foliage.

For more information about adding maple trees to your own personal arboretum, take a look at our post on the 9 Best Maple Trees To Plant – Pros and Cons Of Major Types.

Enjoy your maple Tree Journey!

References

Burr, H. S. (1945). “Diurnal potentials in the maple tree.” The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 17(6), 727.

Wullschleger, S. D., Hanson, P. J., & Tschaplinski, T. J. (1998). “Whole-plant water flux in understory red maple exposed to altered precipitation regimes.” Tree Physiology, 18(2), 71-79.