Sugar Maple Tree

Sugar Maple Trees are the premier choice for tapping and making your own sweet maple syrup! This deciduous giants reach a mature size of 60 to 75 feet tall with lush, rounded canopies, and heralds the arrival of fall wiith a breathtaking tapestry of oranges, reds, and yellows. In spring, you can expect delicate, drooping clusters of greenish-yellow flowers that are roughly 1 to 2 inches long. Its broad, dense crown offers refreshing, deep shade for summer picnics. This long-lived legacy tree can thrive for centuries, and its robust, sturdy branches provide a safe haven for local songbirds and wildlife. Sugar Maples are a great natural landmark that allows you to harvest your own organic sweeteners while enjoying a brilliant autumn display year after year.

Also Known As: Sugar Maple, Rock Maple, Hard Maple, Sugar-tree, Maple Syrup Tree, Érable à sucre, Zucker-Ahorn, Acer de azúcar, Sweet Maple, Fall Color Tree, Canadian Maple, and Black Maple.

Plant Name:	Tree, Northern Sugar Maple
Latin Name:	Acer saccharum
Days to Germinate:	14-28
Days to Harvest:	30 - 40 Years
Days to Bloom:	22 - 30 Years
Plant Height:	40 - 80 Feet
Spread:	30 - 50 Feet
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	3-8
Lifespan:	Perennial
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2026

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose a clear, sunny location that is not in the shade of other trees and receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Trees establish roots better in sandy, well-drained soils rather than heavy, poorly drained soil. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 6-8 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. If the soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in some sand or compost to improve drainage. Optionally, either form rows of soil beds or hills 4-6 inches high and at least 60 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage, ensure good airflow, and make harvesting or maintenance easier.

Planting:

Starting Indoors: Seeds require cold, moist stratification to break dormancy. Soak seeds in room-temperature tap water for 24 hours, prior to stratification. To stratify, roll seeds in a damp paper towel and place in a resealable bag. Place the bag in the refrigerator to keep seeds at 35F-40F for 90-120 days, mimicking winter conditions. After the stratification period, seeds should be ready to germinate. To germinate seeds, place the bags in a warm 70F-90F area. After 10 days, plant the seeds in small pots with moist potting soil and in a warm, sunny location that is at least 65F, about 1 month after the last expected frost in spring. Keep the soil moist, allowing the top inch of soil to dry in between waterings.

Once the seedlings have developed a few sets of leaves and are at least 6 inches in height, harden off seedlings then transplant outdoors in the spring, in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 60F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny, permanent location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant seeds in late summer to naturally cold-stratify seeds. Soak seeds 24 hours in tap water prior to sowing. To plant, make holes 3/4 inch deep and spaced 20-30 feet apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 1 seed per hole, then cover thinly with soil. Seedbeds can be covered with plastic film to promote germination. Water after planting.

Planting Depth:	3/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	20-30 feet
Between-Row Spacing:	30-60 feet

Care During the Season:

Sugar Maple Trees prefer consistently moist, well-drained soil. Mulching around the base of the tree helps retain moisture, control weeds, and protect the root system from temperature extremes. While Sugar Maples are generally low-maintenance, pruning can be done in late winter or early spring to remove any dead or damaged branches and promote a strong structure. Fertilizing with a balanced fertilizer in early spring can support vigorous growth, but be cautious not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to weak growth. Regularly monitor the tree for signs of stress or nutrient deficiencies to keep it healthy throughout the growing season.

Harvesting:

Sugar Maple Trees are usually harvested for sap in late winter to early spring, when daytime temperatures rise above freezing and nighttime temperatures drop below freezing—this freeze–thaw cycle triggers sap flow. To collect sap, drill a small, clean hole about 2 inches deep and slightly upward into the trunk, usually 2–4 feet above the ground, using a sharp drill bit sized to match your spile. Insert the spile snugly, hang a clean food-grade bucket or attach tubing, and cover to keep out debris. Each mature tree can yield several gallons of sap per season, which you’ll collect daily until the flow slows as temperatures warm. Always remove the spile at season’s end and allow the tree to heal naturally, rotating tap locations each year to keep your Sugar Maple healthy and productive for decades.