Silver Maple Live Tree – Fast-Growing Native Shade Tree

Add quick-growing shade and distinctive foliage to a spacious landscape with Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum), a large deciduous tree native to the eastern and midwestern United States.

Silver Maple is especially recognizable for its deeply lobed leaves, which are green on top and silvery underneath. When the wind moves through the branches, the contrasting leaf surfaces create a beautiful shimmering effect.

Plant Details

• Botanical name: Acer saccharinum

• Common name: Silver Maple

• Plant type: Deciduous shade tree

• Mature height: Approximately 50–100 feet

• Growth rate: Very fast, potentially up to 7 feet per year under favorable conditions

• Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9

• Light: Full sun

• Flowers: Yellowish-red flowers in early spring

• Native range: Eastern and midwestern United States

Distinctive Foliage and Growth

Silver Maple develops a broad, vase-shaped canopy and deeply lobed leaves with green upper surfaces and silvery undersides. Its foliage creates a shimmering appearance when stirred by the breeze.

Known for its rapid growth, Silver Maple can provide shade relatively quickly when planted in suitable conditions.

Growing Conditions

Silver Maple is adaptable and thrives in a variety of soil conditions.

• Sunlight: Full sun

• Soil: Prefers moist to wet, well-draining, acidic soil.

• Adaptability: Tolerates wet and clay-heavy soils.

• Watering: Keep young trees consistently moist during their first few growing seasons.

• Established trees: Can tolerate seasonal flooding and can also adapt to relatively dry upland soils.

Silver Maple is hardy in USDA Zones 3–9 and can tolerate the warmth and humidity of Zone 9.

Important Planting Considerations

Silver Maple is a large tree with aggressive roots and relatively brittle wood. Choose its location carefully.

Plant at least 50 feet away from foundations, sidewalks, and sewer lines. Its roots can damage concrete and interfere with underground pipes.

Because of its fast growth and brittle wood, select a location with adequate space and consider potential storm exposure.

Avoid excessive fertilizing, as encouraging overly rapid growth can contribute to weaker wood.

Landscape Uses

Silver Maple is often planted for:

• Fast-growing shade

• Large yards and open landscapes

• Spacious parks and garden areas

• Native tree plantings

Its impressive mature size makes it best suited to properties with plenty of room for both canopy and roots.

Shipping Information

Free shipping is available to most locations. Larger boxes and shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, APO addresses, U.S. territories, and locations considered remote may require an additional freight surcharge.

All plants are inspected for quality before shipment. If your tree arrives damaged, please contact us promptly and include photos of the package and plant so we can help resolve the issue.