PlantsTrees
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
Chicago-region native. Suited to zone 6a.
Large shade tree for well-drained soil
ModerateTrees
- Light
- Part shade–sun
- Moisture
- Medium
- Mature size
- 50–80+ ft
- Spacing
- 35–60 ft
- Bloom or harvest
- Spring flowers; fall color
- How it spreads
- Large tree
- What to buy
- Container or balled-and-burlapped; bare-root in early spring.
- When to plant
- Early Apr–May after soil thaws and drains; Sep–mid Oct for container/B&B. Bare-root: early spring.
In the design
Confirm overhead and underground clearance before planting; keep large trees north or west of food beds to reduce shade.
