Acer Saccharinum or Silver Maple

Acer Saccharinum or the Silver Maple
A North American Maple, the Acer Saccharinum tree has many common names including Silver Maple and Silver Leaf Maple. It is one of the most populous trees found in the Central United States and Canada. It is a noble tree with a long life span of at least 150 years. Acer Saccharinum is fast growing and can quickly reach impressive heights of around 25 metres. For this reason, it is often grown as a standalone ornamental tree or a shade tree.
Although it will grow in most conditions, Silver Maple thrives near river and lake banks, floodplains and other waterside locations.

The graceful leaves of the Silver Maple are lobed and palmate, green on the top with a lighter, silver underside. This two-toned colour creates a most attractive effect as the delicate leaves rustle in even the mildest of summer breezes, dazzling the eye with flashes of silver underside. The foliage turns a vibrant yellow and red in autumn.

Early large buds are dark red, almost black. In early spring, the Silver Maple produces small flowers. In summer, the Acer Saccharinum tree produces an abundance of large winged pairs of helicopter seeds, which are adored by birds and other small wildlife.

Good to Know  – Acer Saccharinum is not to be confused with Acer Saccharum which is the sugar maple and used for making maple syrup.