Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum, 'Silver Cloud')
The silver maple is very similar to the red maple except that its leaves turn pale yellow or brown, not red, in the fall. Its seeds are found in "keys" that fall down from the tree in the late spring. Bark on the silver maple's trunk is smooth and gray when the tree is young, and then becomes dark reddish brown and breaks into strips that peel off at either end and make the trunk look "shaggy". Sometimes, the trunks of silver maples are hollow, creating space for animals and birds to live in.
Height: 17 m
Form: oval
Foliage: green 5 lobed
Fall Colour: bright yellow, some burgundy
Flowers: small, dull red/orange
Other: fast growing, bark splits to show orangey colour underneath
Moisture: Prefers moist soil
Shade: Slightly shade tolerant but prefers full sun
Soil: Prefers rich soil
The silver maple grows quickly-it's often planted to provide shade or to block unsightly views.
Height: 17 m
Form: oval
Foliage: green 5 lobed
Fall Colour: bright yellow, some burgundy
Flowers: small, dull red/orange
Other: fast growing, bark splits to show orangey colour underneath
Moisture: Prefers moist soil
Shade: Slightly shade tolerant but prefers full sun
Soil: Prefers rich soil
The silver maple grows quickly-it's often planted to provide shade or to block unsightly views.
