Silver Maple
Acer saccharinum
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Description
The Silver Maple, Acer saccharinum, is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to eastern and central North America. It is known for its deeply lobed leaves with a silvery underside, which give the tree its common name. In agroecology and regenerative agriculture, Silver Maple plays a crucial role in riparian buffer zones due to its rapid growth and tolerance of wet, poorly drained soils. It helps stabilize stream banks and reduce erosion, while its canopy provides shade and habitat for wildlife. As part of a food forest, it serves as an upper canopy layer, offering shelter and microclimate regulation for understory plants. Historically, its wood has been used for making furniture and tools. In guild design, it pairs well with nitrogen-fixing shrubs like Siberian Pea Shrub (Caragana arborescens) and ground covers such as clover to enhance soil fertility.
Growing Details
Silver Maple thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts to a wide range of soil types, including clay and sandy soils. It prefers moist, well-drained conditions but can tolerate occasional flooding. For optimal growth, mulch around the base with organic matter to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Avoid planting in areas prone to high winds due to its brittle wood. Companion plants include nitrogen-fixing species like clover and understory shrubs such as elderberry. Prune regularly to main
Tags
Carbon Farming
Attracts Wildlife
Fire Wood
Building Wood
Windbreak
Erosion Preventing
Bee Friendly
Visual Appeal
Easy Propagating
Sweetener
Range (Based on GBIF Data)
The map shows known occurrence points of <strong>Acer saccharinum</strong> recorded in scientific biodiversity databases.
Source: <a href="https://www.gbif.org" target="_blank">GBIF.org</a> โ Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Location & Timing
native geo location: Eastern and central North America
applicable geo region: North America
language used: en
Flowering:
beginning
of March for 30 days
Harvest:
beginning
of May for 60 days
Seed Start:
?
Indoor Start:
Transplant:
Uses & Benefits
Edible Rating:
(2/5)
edible uses: The sap of the Silver Maple can be tapped and boiled down to produce syrup, although it is less sweet than that of the Sugar Maple. The sap is typically collected in late winter to early spring when temperatures fluctuate above and below freezing.
Medicinal Rating:
(1/5)
medicinal uses: Traditionally, the inner bark has been used in poultices for its purported anti-inflammatory properties. However, it should be used with caution and under the guidance of a knowledgeable herbalist.
health concerns: The inner bark should not be consumed in large quantities due to potential toxicity.
other uses: The wood is used for furniture, boxes, and crates. It is also a source of biomass for energy production. Its rapid growth makes it suitable for short-rotation forestry.
Scientific Literature
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Botanical data
specie: Acer saccharinum
common names: Silver Maple; Soft Maple; White Maple
family: Sapindaceae
sub family:
tribe:
sub tribe:
genus: Acer
Growing Conditions
area needed: 0.0 m
spacing: 0.0 m
growing difficulty: Low
Deciduous / Evergreen: Evergreen
Seed Temp (Opt/Min/Max): 0ยฐC / 0ยฐC / 0ยฐC
Plant Temp (Opt/Min/Max): 0ยฐC / 0ยฐC / 0ยฐC
water demands: Medium
humidity: Medium
light demands: High
root type: Medium
frost tender: Low
hardness:
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(4/10)
first harvest: 0 years
life span: 130 years
succession: Pioneer
growth rate: Fast
max height: 30.0 m
max width: 15.0 m
soil preference:
Medium (Loam)
pH preference:
Neutral
flower type:
Monoecious
growth details: Silver Maple thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts to a wide range of soil types, including clay and sandy soils. It prefers moist, well-drained conditions but can tolerate occasional flooding. For optimal growth, mulch around the base with organic matter to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Avoid planting in areas prone to high winds due to its brittle wood. Companion plants include nitrogen-fixing species like clover and understory shrubs such as elderberry. Prune regularly to main
Potential Disturbances: Common pests include aphids, scale insects, and borers. Natural pest management strategies include introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings to control aphids. Planting garlic or chives nearby can help repel borers. Neem oil can be used as an organic spray for scale insects. Monitor for verticillium wilt and tar spot, and remove affected leaves to prevent spread.
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