Silver Maple
Acer saccharinum
A very fast-growing maple valued for quick shade but infamous for weak, brittle wood and storm breakage. Aggressive surface roots heave sidewalks and invade drain lines. Best used where rapid shade outweighs its short-term structural liabilities.
Field reference
Family
Sapindaceae
Growth rate
Fast
Mature size
50–80 ft tall, 35–50 ft spread
Hardiness zone
3–9
Soil preference
Tolerant of wet, poorly-drained soils; very adaptable
Sun
Full sun
Pruning window
Summer (after leaf-out); structural pruning while young
Wood properties
Soft, brittle, low-density diffuse-porous wood (~0.47 SG). Weak, breakage-prone unions; a frequent storm-failure species — rig and assess unions carefully.
Native range
Eastern and central United States, along streams and floodplains
Green weight
45 lb/ft³
Pests & diseases to watch
Spotted Lanternflypest · High severity · peak Nymphs spring–summer; conspicuous winged adults July–November; eggs overwinterAsian Longhorned Beetlepest · Severe severity · peak Adults active and emerging July through OctoberVerticillium Wiltfungus · High severity · peak Symptoms appear in summer, often after heat or drought stress (June–September)Aphidspest · Low severity · peak Populations build in spring and early summer, with flushes through the season
Common questions
Why does my silver maple keep losing limbs in storms?
Its fast, low-density wood and tight V-shaped unions make it one of the most failure-prone shade trees. Regular structural pruning and cabling reduce, but never eliminate, the risk.
Are the surface roots a problem?
Often yes — silver maple roots heave sidewalks and seek out sewer and drain lines. Keep it away from foundations, hardscape, and utilities.
Related species in Sapindaceae
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