Plant: deciduous trees to 100'+

Origin: eastern North America

Zone: 4 - 9

Flowers: clustered of greenish corymbs in early spring. Most people never notice them, but are familiar with the winged helicopters (samaras) that flutter through the air in summer

Foliage: deeply lobed but not as dissected as silver maple. Perhaps the most colorful tree of autumn.

Culture: sun to shade. Well-drained fertile soil. Dense roots and leaf cover prevent most plants from growing under sugar maples. The hard wood is used to make bowling alleys and basketball courts. Intolerant of salt and water-logged soil.