When does black maple bloom?

Black maple flowers in April and May, producing small clusters of greenish-yellow blossoms around the time the leaves begin to unfold.

What insects visit black maple flowers?

Bees and beetles are the main visitors to black maple flowers, drawn to the early spring nectar and pollen before many other plants have bloomed.

How much sun does black maple need?

Black maple grows best in full sun but also tolerates part sun and light shade, which is common for younger trees growing beneath a forest canopy.

How much water does black maple need?

Black maple does best with medium, consistently moist soil, though established trees can handle brief dry periods without lasting harm.

Is Black Maple toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Black Maple as toxic to livestock.

Is Black Maple HOA-friendly?

Black Maple takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Black Maple

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Acer nigrum

Last reviewed: September 2026

Acer nigrum, or black maple, is a deciduous tree that flowers in April and May and grows well in full sun to partial shade with medium moisture, often found in eastern and midwestern hardwood forests.

Toxicity unknown

Black Maple (Acer nigrum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Black Maple as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

300"–600" H × 240"–480" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 22 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Black maple is a stately native shade tree that develops a broad, rounded crown with age. It produces beautiful yellow-orange fall color and grows at a moderate pace, making it an excellent choice for larger residential properties.

Growing Black Maple

Grow Black Maple in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 300 to 600 inches tall and spread 240 to 480 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Black Maple takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Extremely large mature size inappropriate for most residential lots
Deciduous nature creates significant leaf litter

Wildlife value

Host plant for luna moth, rosy maple moth.

The spring flowers attract bees and beetles, while the seeds feed birds and small mammals. The large canopy provides important nesting habitat and shelter for various wildlife species.

Common questions

When does black maple bloom?: Black maple flowers in April and May, producing small clusters of greenish-yellow blossoms around the time the leaves begin to unfold.
What insects visit black maple flowers?: Bees and beetles are the main visitors to black maple flowers, drawn to the early spring nectar and pollen before many other plants have bloomed.
How much sun does black maple need?: Black maple grows best in full sun but also tolerates part sun and light shade, which is common for younger trees growing beneath a forest canopy.
How much water does black maple need?: Black maple does best with medium, consistently moist soil, though established trees can handle brief dry periods without lasting harm.
Is Black Maple toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Black Maple as toxic to livestock.
Is Black Maple HOA-friendly?: Black Maple takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Black Maple? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app

Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz