Foliage
Bark
Bud
Twig
Flower
Video
Taxonomy
| Family | Sapindaceae |
|---|---|
| Genus | Acer |
| Species | saccharinum |
| Common Name | silver maple |
| iTree Code | ACSA2 |
Plant Form
| Form | Tree: large upright, spreading crown, thick trunk |
|---|---|
| Height | 60 feet |
| Spread | 50 feet |
| Deciduous | Yes |
Identification Description
| Foliage | lobed (3-5) and coarsely toothed; top green, underside silvery gray | Leaf Type
 |
Simple |
|---|---|---|---|
| Needles | 0 | ||
| Bark | smooth, silvery gray when young; develops thin, gray strips with age | ||
| Bud | terminal bud red to reddish brown, with overlapping scales (imbricate); flower buds in clusters | Bud Arrangement
|
Opposite |
| Twig | slender, red/brown in current year, smooth gray by year two; rank odor when crushed | ||
| Flower | develop before leaves, dense spherical brown/red small in clusters, without petals; male and female on same tree (monoecious) | ||
| Fruit | paired “helicopters” (samaras in spring), angle of pair forms a V | ||
| Fall Color | yellow | ||
Site Characteristics
| USDA Zones
|
pH Levels | Salt Tolerance | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min | 2a | Min | 4.0 | Soil | Intolerant |
| Max | 8b | Max | 7.3 | Spray | Intolerant |
| Shade Tolerance | Drought Tolerance | Allelopathy |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate | Intolerant | No |
Species Status
| Nebraska Native |
|
|---|---|
| U.S. Native |
|
| Region of Origin | United States, Canada |
| Previous Family | Aceraceae |
| More Information | Visit External Site |