Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
Last reviewed: September 2026
Acer saccharum, or sugar maple, is a deciduous tree that blooms in April and May and grows best in part sun with medium, well drained soil moisture in cool temperate climates.
Toxicity unknown
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) 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 Sugar Maple as toxic to livestock.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
600"–1200" H × 480"–960" W
Bloom
Apr, May
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 32 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 areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Sugar maple is a native shade tree prized for its spectacular fall colors ranging from yellow to brilliant orange and red. This large, long-lived tree develops a broad, rounded crown and provides excellent shade for homes and landscapes.
Growing Sugar Maple
Grow Sugar Maple in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 600 to 1200 inches tall and spread 480 to 960 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Sugar Maple is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, street edge, mid zone.
- Very large mature size requires adequate space
- Seasonal leaf drop in fall
Wildlife value
Host plant for rosy maple moth, Isabella tiger moth.
The small spring flowers attract bees and beetles, while the large canopy provides nesting sites for many bird species. Seeds (samaras) feed squirrels and other wildlife, and the tree supports numerous native moth and butterfly caterpillars.
Common questions
- When does sugar maple bloom?
- Acer saccharum produces small yellow-green flowers in April and May, usually just before or as the leaves begin to expand.
- What insects pollinate sugar maple flowers?
- Bees and beetles visit the early spring flowers of Acer saccharum for pollen, since the blooms open before many other nectar sources are available.
- How much light does sugar maple need?
- Sugar maple tolerates a wide range of light, growing well from full sun to fairly dense shade, though it is often planted in part sun locations.
- Does sugar maple need a lot of water?
- Sugar maple does best in evenly moist, well drained soil and struggles in sites that stay waterlogged or that dry out for long periods.
- Is Sugar Maple toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Sugar Maple as toxic to livestock.
- Is Sugar Maple HOA-friendly?
- Sugar Maple is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Sugar Maple? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz