Black Maple

Scientific name

Acer nigrum

Description

Black Maple is a long-lived tree that grows 20-30 m tall. Black Maple may also be referred to as Black Sugar Maple, Hard Maple, or Rock Maple. Black Maple is similar in appearance to Sugar Maple, but can tolerate moister conditions. It has a straight trunk with blackish-grey bark and vertical ridges that are sometimes scaly. The leaves are opposite, 10-15 cm long, have 3 palmate lobes, and are dark green above, with brownish velvety hairs beneath. The fruits produced are pairs of winged keys that are u-shaped and have hairy stalks. Black Maple can live up to 200 years and is a source of food for deer and several species of birds.

Planting conditions

Black Maple grows best in moist, well-drained soils, but has some tolerance to drought when mature. It grows in full to part sun conditions, but prefers full sun. Black Maple produces numerous seedlings that are shade tolerant It prefers to grow in soils containing loam or silt-loam. It prefers acidic soil or neutral soil, but will also tolerate alkaline soils. It can naturally be found growing in floodplains, bottomlands, rich woodlands, and stream banks.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Any
  • Over 3m
• Moisture level:
  • Normal
  • Moist
  • Drought Tolerant
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
  • Shade
• Soil type:
  • Loamy
• pH:
  • Acidic
  • Basic
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
  • Bareroot
• Eco Zone:
  • 5a
  • 5b
  • 6a
  • 6b
• Plant type:
  • Tree
• Height:
  • 20-30 m
• Spread:
  • 20 m