
In addition to birds, numerous other mammals will feed on the seeds in Spring/Summer. These attract some birds, while numerous other species of birds eat the seeds. The leaves and wood of Silver Maple are fed on by many insects such as moths and several long-horned beetles. It can get quite wide at 35-70’, and a pair of Silver Maples placed correctly can provide lots of shade to most homes. Silver Maple has a handsome ovoid crown making it a great shade tree.
#BEST POTTING MEDIUM FOR SUGAR MAPLE TREES FULL#
In perfect conditions of moist soil and full sun it can grow up to 7’ per year. Silver Maple is one of the fastest (if not the fastest) growing trees in North America. Sources Pros and Cons of Silver Maple Pros Fast Growing

Many wood-boring insects, birds, mammals. Sources Silver Maple Reference Table Scientific NameĬentral North America, USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9 The native range of Silver Maple covers most of the Midwest and the border of Canada from Manitoba South to Oklahoma and Georgia, and North to Maine, Southern Quebec and New Brunswick. The streets, yards, and gutters would be filled with thousands of helicopters (seeds with a wing) each Spring, followed by thousands of seedlings some weeks later, particularly along the river banks where there was bare soil or mud. It is readily identifiable in most locations due to it’s distinct bark or silver-backed leaves, once you can ID this tree you will see it frequently along creeks, rivers, and ponds.Īs I was growing up in the bottom lands of the Mississippi River, Silver Maple was one of the most common trees I would see. It grows rapidly and will live for 100-150 years or more. Dominant on the periphery of water ways and lakes, it doesn’t perform as well in interior forests as it is generally overtaken by taller hardwoods such as Black Walnut and Pin Oak. Īlthough technically a hardwood, it is also known as soft maple (along with Red Maple trees). Numerous species of wildlife eat the seeds. One of the fasted growing trees at can grow 3-7’ per year in optimum conditions. Scientifically known as Acer saccharinum, it grows 50-100’ tall in full sun and wet to medium-moist soil. Silver Maple is a deciduous, medium-sized tree native to North America.
