Eetbare tuin-edible garden Acer saccharum - Sugar Maple - Canadian Ash

• Article number: ACESACC01

Acer saccharum, or Sugar Maple, is native primarily to the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. The species has a wide distribution area and is abundant in this cold climate.

The Acer belongs to the Sapindaceae family, the soap tree family. The tree itself can reach a height of up to 30 meters if given the time and a good location to grow. The tree's crown is very dense, making it often impossible to grow anything beneath the Acer. The leaves themselves are very recognizable. When you see the Canadian flag, you always immediately notice the red leaf in the center; this is the leaf of the saccharum. Its color corresponds quite well with the tree's autumn color. The green leaves change color from bright yellow to an orange/red hue.

The wood of Acer saccharum is the hardest wood of all Acers, so it is also used in the furniture industry. A fun fact is that most bowling alleys are made of this wood.

The name sugar maple comes from the production of maple syrup. The tree produces this sweet syrup in its roots during the winter months. In the spring, these sugars move to the tree's emerging leaves. By tapping and concentrating these saps, maple syrup is produced.

Sap production works best when there are cold nights followed by a warm day. A large, mature maple tree can then produce up to 40 liters of sap in 2 months. Approximately 40 liters of sap are needed to produce 1 liter of maple syrup.

The sugar maple prefers moist soil to dry soil, so if planted in poor, dry soil, you may give the plant extra water in the summer. A sunny location is also ideal for Acer saccharum.
If the plant becomes too large, it can be pruned in early March.
Winter hardiness zone 4 (-34ºC).