Silver Maple
Specifications
- Latin (scientific) name: Acer saccharinum. Saccharinum is Latin for sweet or sugary, referring to the sap.
- Life expectancy: 100 years
- Height: 85 feet
- Circumference: 15 feet
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The height and circumference measurements listed here are for the largest-known silver maple in the City of Atlanta. This tree is located on private property.
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Special characteristics:
This a fast growing tree. With plenty of sunlight, it’s full figured tree with an admirable form. It likes wet soil and will grow three-quarters of an inch or more in diameter per year.
The bark of a mature silver maple is a pale gray and flakes in large plates, which makes it interesting to look at. Some people get suspicious of the tree when they see bark on the ground, but it is harmless.
The leaves turn an uninspiring dull yellow color in Fall.
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Annoyance factors:
Silver maple wood is soft and brittle compared to the other maple trees. This species is more prone to decay and insect attack. Large dead branches do not stay up long because the wood is weak.
This tree does not do well in ice storms. The weak soft branches break off with ice loading.
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Fun Facts:
The tree suspends its leaves on long stalks. The underside of the leaf is silver, while the upper side is the normal rich green. When the breeze blows and the leaves flutter, they flash the two colors and provide quite a natural light show.
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Photo Credits:
Bark: Peter Jenkins, TreeInspection.com
Leaves: Paul Wray, Bugwood.org
Flowers: T. Davis Sydnor, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
Seeds: Franklin Bonner, USFS (ret.), Bugwood.org
Tree: Dave Hanson, University of Minnesota, Herrinhs.org