Acer saccharinum

Acer saccharinum, commonly known as the silver maple, is a species of maple native to eastern and central North America. It is named for its distinctive silvery-white underside of leaves.

Description

The Acer saccharinum is a fast-growing, deciduous tree that can reach heights of 15 to 25 meters, with a spread of 11.5 to 15 meters. Its bark is smooth and silver in young trees, becoming darker and shaggy in older trees. The leaves are opposite, simple, and palmately veined with five lobes, the middle three of which are large and bearing one or two coarse teeth.

Distribution and habitat

The silver maple is found in the eastern and central parts of North America, from the Atlantic coast west to the Great Plains, and from southern Canada south to Florida. It is most commonly found in wet habitats, including riverbanks, floodplains, and swamps.

Uses

Acer saccharinum has been widely planted as an ornamental tree for its fast growth and tolerance of urban conditions. Its wood is also used for furniture, flooring, and pulpwood. The sap can be used to produce maple syrup, although it is not as sweet as that of the sugar maple.

Conservation

While the silver maple is not currently considered threatened, it is susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, including the Asian longhorned beetle, verticillium wilt, and anthracnose.

See also

• List of Acer species
• Maple syrup
• Asian longhorned beetle

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