Maple, Silver

This tree is one of the 150 trees initially included in the arboretum to coincide with the campus's 150th anniversary celebration.

Scientific Name:
Acer saccharinum

Cultivar:

Native to:
Eastern and central United States and southeastern Canada

Mature Height and Width:
60-80 feet by 40-60 feet

Additional Notes:
Probably the most widely planted tree in towns of our region, the silver maple’s rapid growth and tolerance of heavy soils is well-adapted to broad river floodplains of the Midwest and degraded urban soils alike.  Homeowners often plant this species for its ability to provide shade quickly but often end up regretting the decision since its branches are brittle and prone to breakage at an age when most other shade trees are still in their prime.