Sugar Maple

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

60 - 70 Feet

Mature Spread

50 - 60 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 8

The Sugar Maple is a beloved American native, famous for its dazzling fall foliage that transforms from deep green to brilliant shades of orange, yellow, and red. This stately deciduous tree provides cool shade in summer with its large, dense canopy and creates a show-stopping display in autumn.

With a mature height of 60–70 feet and a spread of 50–60 feet, it’s the perfect tree for spacious landscapes, parks, and open lawns. Long-lived and resilient, the Sugar Maple is also an iconic source of maple syrup, making it both ornamental and practical.

Sugar Maple Care

Plant Sugar Maple in full sun for the best fall color, though it can tolerate partial shade. It thrives in deep, fertile, slightly acidic, well-drained soil and should be placed where its roots won’t face compaction. Water regularly during the first few years to establish a strong root system, and provide supplemental water during prolonged droughts.

Avoid fertilizing during the first year after planting, then use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring if needed. Prune only in late summer, when sap flow is low, to remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. With proper care, Sugar Maple is generally low-maintenance and hardy in USDA Zones 4–8.

Sugar Maple Spacing

Because of its impressive mature size, plan ahead when planting. Space Sugar Maples at least 50 feet apart to allow their rounded canopies to develop fully without crowding. For larger landscapes, use groupings of trees spaced 50–60 feet apart for natural groves, or plant as a standalone specimen to showcase its stunning fall foliage.

Why Grow Sugar Maple?

• Renowned for its brilliant orange, red, and yellow fall color

• Provides dense summer shade with a broad canopy

• Hardy, long-lived, and low-maintenance once established

• Native to North America; excellent for supporting local ecosystems

• Iconic source of maple syrup

• Grows 60–70 feet tall and 50–60 feet wide; perfect for large spaces

The Sugar Maple is a true four-season treasure—lush green shade in summer, breathtaking autumn color, and a legacy tree that stands tall for generations.