Soft Maple
Acer saccharinum
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
full sun
Water
high
Size
360"–720" H × 240"–480" W
Bloom
Apr, May
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 33 more states
Pollinators
bees
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Silver maple is a fast-growing shade tree with distinctive silvery-white undersides on deeply lobed leaves. It produces small clusters of greenish-yellow flowers in early spring before the leaves emerge, followed by winged seeds in late spring.
In an HOA neighborhood
Soft Maple takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Brittle wood prone to storm damage and branch breakage
- Aggressive surface roots can damage sidewalks and foundations
- Drops abundant seed pods creating cleanup issues
Wildlife value
The early spring flowers provide nectar for bees when few other food sources are available. The large canopy offers nesting sites for birds and the seeds feed various wildlife.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Soft Maple fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.