Silver Maple - Acer Saccharinum

Silver Maple is a medium tree that is native to many areas in the US. This tree can live an average life span of 120 years. Great for wetland areas. 

 Growth 

The silver maple tree (Acer saccharinum) can live for 100 to 130 years. It can grow to be as tall as 80 feet. Its trunk is short and stout. At ten years old, a sapling will grow to approximately 25 feet tall. The tree’s young bark is smooth and gray. As it ages, the bark becomes rough with wide strips that turn upward at the ends.

Foliage
Typical to the maple tree, it has a five-pointed leaf. These leaves begin to appear in spring and last throughout summer. The leaves are silver-white on the bottom and dullish green on the top. The silver color is most visible when the wind blows. Flowers are a dull red color that turns into winged seeds around June. They are the most abundant seeds of all native maple trees.

Type and Hardiness
Plant a silver maple tree in hardy zones 3-8. It will tolerate almost any soil type, as long as it does not have a high PH. This tree will tolerate drought, flooding, and pollution. It will do well in both rural and urban settings. Plant this tree where it will receive full sun. The silver maple is typically grown in the Eastern United States. It can also grow in Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma.

Landscaping
Silver maple trees’ leaves turn a lovely yellow-brown color in the fall. This tree has a spreading canopy that can reach 35 to 50 feet. Plant it in an area where it has ample space to grow. The tree should be planted away from drain pipes, sidewalks, and sewer lines. It is a vibrant, beautiful shade tree.