Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00000031
11/12/99

Acer saccharum--Sugar Maple


Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
Height: 60 ft Spread: 50 ft Form: rounded
Type: deciduous tree
Annual Growth Rate: less than 12 inches

Comments: Sugar Maple is a hard wooded tree with a slow
growth rate. The tree is sensitive to reflected heat and
will often scorch. The dense shade will prevent good lawn
growth. The main ornamental feature of the tree is the
red, yellow, or orange fall color (Vis. 14). The rugged
bark is sometimes considered to be ornamental (Vis. 15).

Cultivars:
'Adirzam' (Adirondak TM) - Ascending branches are
covered with dark green foliage that resists drought
and turns orange in the fall (Vis. 1).
'Arrowhead' - A pyramidal tree that form a central
leader.
'Astis' (Steeple TM) - This cultivar has a narrow,
oval crown and reaches a height of 50 feet but
spreads only 35 feet (Vis. 2).
'Balista' (Fall Fiesta TM) - The foliage is thick and
leathery. The fall color is a combination of
yellow, orange and red.
'Barrett Cole' (Apollo TM) - A narrow, columnar form
reaching a height of 25 feet but spreading only 10
feet.
'Bonfire' - Possibly the fastest growing Sugar Maple
selection (Vis. 3). It tolerates environmental
problems better than other Sugar Maples. The fall
color is orange and red (Vis. 4).
'Chippewa Fire' - A recent selection with above average
growth rate and shape. It appears to be resistant to
leaf tatter and frost cracking. Selected and sold by
E. L. Milarch and Son, Copemish, Michigan also being
offered by John Holmlund Nursery, Boring, Oregon.
'Columnare' - A dense, upright branching habit forms a
mature crown of 25- to 30 feet wide.
'Commemoration' - The leaves are resistant to leaf
tatter. This fast-growing tree branches well when
young (Vis. 5).
'Endowment' - A columnar growth habit and yellow and
red fall foliage color (Vis. 6) are the main ornamental
traits of this cultivar. It is reported as resistant
to scorch.
'Fairview' - A vigorous tree that rapidly gains trunk
diameter in nurseries as compared to other Sugar
Maple cultivars.
'Fidcrezam' (Fiddler's Creek TM) - A vigorous tree with
an oval form. The cut leaves are thick and waxy. The
tree is listed as drought tolerant.
'Globosum' - A rounded form that grows slowly and has
yellow fall color.
'Goldspire' TM - A narrow conical tree that has scorch
resistant foliage and a bright yellow fall color.
subsp. grandidentatum 'Schmidt' - (Rocky Mountain Glow
TM) - This small tree has a bright coral-red fall
color and a slow growth rate.
Green Mountain(R) - A widely planted, hardy selection
that provides reliable fall color (Vis. 7). The leaves
are reported to resist damage during dry, windy summer
weather.
'Legacy' - The tree forms (Vis. 8) a symmetrical, oval
crown and has foliage (Vis. 9) that resists leaf tatter
and drought.
'Majesty' (Flax Mill Majesty TM) - A vigorous cultivar
(Vis. 10) that develops full branching and a
symmetrical oval crown at an early age. The tree has a
reddish fall color (Vis. 11).
'Mountain Park' - An oval form reaching a height of 50
feet. The fall foliage color is red.
subsp. nigrum 'Greencolumn' - This Black Maple has an
upright growth habit (Vis. 12). It reaches a height of
55 feet and a spread of 25 feet. It was selected for
its tolerance of heat and dryness. The fall color
(Vis. 13) is orange.
'Seneca Chief' - A vigorous cultivars with a moderately
oval crown, the fall color is orange to yellow.
'Sweet Shadow' - A narrow, vase-shaped selection with
cut leaves.
'Wright Brothers' TM - An oval tree reaching a height of
55 ft and a spread of 45 feet. The fall color is
orange.

References for Cultivars: E. L. Milarch and Son 1994,
Princeton Nurseries 1999, Lake County Nursery 1999, J. Frank
Schmidt and Son 1999, Bailey Nurseries 1999, Weston
Nurseries 1999, Ray Wiegand's Nursery 1999, Sheridan
Nurseries 1999, Moller's Nursery 1997, Studebaker Nurseries
1999, Scarff's Nursery 1999, Gee Farms 1999, Carlton Plants
1999.


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