Deciduous Tree Of The Day

Acer saccharum 'Commemoration'

Sugar Maple, Hard Maple, Rock Maple

Type Tree, woody plant

Hardy range 5A to 8A

Height 50' to 65' / 15.20m to 19.80m

Spread 40' to 50' / 12.20m to 15.20m

Growth rate Average

Form Oval and rounded

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Green

Bloom Time Spring

Environment This plant tolerates some drought.
This plant will grow in dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color Orange and red

Culture Notes Growing in full sun or shade, Sugar Maple will tolerate a wide variety of soil types (except compacted soil) but is not salt-tolerant. Established trees look better when given some irrigation during dry weather, particularly in the south. In the south, many leaves remain in the central portion of the canopy for much of the winter, giving the tree a somewhat unkempt appearance.
Sugar Maples are not recommended for the Dallas area, in many cases due to alkaline soils causing chlorosis. Sensitivity to compaction, heat, drought and road salt limit usage of Sugar Maple for urban street plantings, but it is still recommended for parks and other areas away from roads where soil is loose and well-drained. Acer nigrum, a similar species, is more tolerant of heat and drought. `Commemoration' has brilliant fall color and grows fast. This cultivar is a good performer in the south. Trees are considered fairly good compartmentalizers of decay.
Maintain adequate mulch area.
Clear all turf away from beneath the branches and mulch to the drip line, especially on young trees, to reduce competition with turf and weeds. This will allow roots to become well established and keep plants healthier. Prune the tree so trunks and branches will not rub each other. Remove some secondary branches on main branches with included bark. This reduces the likelihood of the main branch splitting from the tree later when it has grown to become an important part of the landscape. Locate the tree properly, taking into account the ultimate size, since the tree looks best if it is not pruned to control size. The tree can enhance any landscape with its delightful spring flush of foliage. It can be the centerpiece of your landscape if properly located.

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