Acer saccharum Marsh.

Acer saccharum at Bedgebury National Pinetum, UK. October 2020. Image John Grimshaw.

The autumn colour of Acer saccharum is never as bright in the climate of the UK as it is in New England, but can still be showy. Kings Clump, Richmond Park, London; 30 September 2011. Image Owen Johnson.

Acer saccharum colouring at Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey, UK. 8 October 2024. Image Tom Christian.

One feature differentiating old Sugar Maples from the rather similar Norway Maple is the more rugged bark. Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire, UK. Image Owen Johnson.

Acer saccharum in the UK seldom grows as tall and straight as this old tree in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; March 2022. Image Owen Johnson.

A shapely Acer saccharum 25 m tall in summer leaf at the Westonbirt National Arboretum, UK; July 2014. Image Owen Johnson.

Acer saccharum trunk (Shawnee State Forest, Ohio, August 2022). Image John Grimshaw.

A grove of Acer saccharum at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, August 2022. Image John Grimshaw.

'Adirzam'

Introduced by Lake County Nursery, Ohio, in 1991, this is a compact clone with ascending branches. It reportedly has increased drought tolerance relative to typical Acer saccharum, and its dense foliage turns golden around two weeks later than other forms (Jacobson 1996).

'Alton Ogden'

Named by Ohio nurseryman Ed Scanlon for Mr Alton Ogden of Flint, Michigan, in 1951 (Jacobson 1996). Widely described as ‘lyre-shaped’, it was thought no longer to be in cultivation by van Gelderen et al. (1994) and commercially extinct by Jacobson (1996).

'Arrowhead'

According to van Gelderen et al. (1994), introduced by Carlton Plants, Ohio, in 1961, though Jacobson (1996) and Hatch (2021–2022) state Schichtel Nursery, New York in 1979 as its point of introduction. Of pyramidal form with a strong leader, hence the name, it attains 20 m and turns orange to red in autumn (van Gelderen et al. 1994; Jacobson 1996).

'Artis'

A selection made by Michael Dirr and introduced via Athena Trees, Georgia (Hatch 2021–2022), ‘Artis’ has an upright form with a narrow crown and strong central leader (Dirr & Warren 2019). Heat resistant, with yellow to orange autumn colour, it reportedly does well in northern as well as southern states in the US (Dirr & Warren 2019).

'Bailsta'

Introduced by Bailey Nursery, Minnesota from a seedling grown in Oregon, ‘Bailsta’ has thick, durable leaves that turn yellow, orange or red in autumn (Hatch 2021–2022). It has a moderate growth rate and develops with a strong central leader (Dirr & Warren 2019).

Acer saccharum 'Bailsta' in fruit (Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, August 2022). Image John Grimshaw.

'Bakharl'

Introduced by Robert Baker of West Suffield, Connecticut, who made the selection from a local tree (Hatch 2021–2022). It has a dense crown with an upright, spreading form and autumn colours from yellow to purplish-red (Hatch 2021–2022).

'Bakrise'

Another clone selected in 1993 by Robert Baker of W. Suffield, Connecticut, with bright red autumn colour (Hatch 2021–2022).

'Barrett Cole'

A densely crowned, narrow clone of conical shape (Dirr & Warren 2019). Slow growing, it is recommended for use as a street tree and would equally suit smaller gardens, ultimately attaining only around half the size of typical Acer saccharum (Dirr & Warren 2019; Great Plant Picks 2020). In autumn it turns from bright yellow to red (Dirr & Warren 2019).

'Bonfire'

Introduced by Princeton Nursery, New Jersey in 1977–78 according to Jacobson (1996) and Hatch (2021–2022), though according to van Gelderen et al. (1994) it was introduced by J. Frank Schmidt & Son in around 1965. Broader than most Acer saccharum selections, it is also faster growing. Suited to a range of growing conditions, with good heat tolerance, it turns a deep red at its autumn best, but only yellow to orange in some areas, including the American Midwest (van Gelderen et al. (1994); Jacobson 1996).

Acer saccharum 'Bonfire' at the Morris Arboretum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA 31 October 2002 Image Paul W. Meyer.

Acer saccharum 'Bonfire' at the Morris Arboretum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA 21 October 2016 Image Paul W. Meyer.

Acer saccharum 'Bonfire' at the Morris Arboretum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA 21 October 2012 with Ilex opaca Image Paul W. Meyer.

'Brocade'

Selected from a wild tree at Croton Falls, New York, and introduced in 1981 (Jacobson 1996). Its leaves are deeply cut and sometimes further sub-lobed (Jacobson 1996). It turns golden yellow in autumn (van Gelderen et al. 1994).

'Cary'

Discovered in the Cannoo Hills, New York (now the Cary Arboretum) in around 1960, named for Mary Flagler Cary and introduced by Brooklyn Botanic Garden in 1974 (Jacobson 1996). Compact and slow growing, it has a narrow habit with leaves that persist for longer than other forms. These are smaller than typical Acer saccharum, though a specimen growing in Seattle was noted by Jacobson (1996) for normal-sized leaves.

'Coleman'

Selected by R.M. Nordine of The Morton Arboretum, Illinois from a broadly columnar tree growing in Lake City, Minnesota, and named around 1958 (Jacobson 1996). Autumn colour is bright orange to red (The Morton Arboretum 2018).

'Commemoration'

Selected by W.N. Wandell of Urbana, Illinois and introduced by Moller Nursery, Gresham, Oregon in around 1981 (van Gelderen et al. 1994; Jacobson 1996) Acer saccharum ‘Commemoration’ is a vigorous grower developing a dense rounded crown. It is noted for its foliage that resists leaf tatter and for good autumn colour, the glossy leaves turning yellow to orange in autumn (Jacobson 1996; Dirr & Warren 2019). Sometimes given as a cultivar, and sometimes as a trade designation, no alternative name to ‘Commemoration’ has been traced.

'Davey'

A clone with rapid growth, developing a broad, dense crown, with dark leaves that turn yellow to orange in autumn (Jacobson 1996). It was introduced in around 1990 by Davey Nursery, Ohio (Jacobson 1996; Hatch 2021–2022).

'Endowment'

A tree with an upright habit, becoming narrowly oval with scorch-resistant leaves that turn bright orange-red in autumn (Jacobson 1996; Dirr & Warren 2019). Introduced in 1980–81 by Siebenthaler Nursery, Ohio (Jacobson 1996).

'Fairview'

With strong growth developing an oval crown, its leaves turn orange in autumn (Jacobson 1996). Its bark is noted to be paler than that of typical Acer saccharum (van Gelderen et al. 1994; Jacobson 1996). Introduced by the A. MacGill & Son Nursery of Fairview, Oregon in 1980–81, for where it was named (Jacobson 1996).

'Fidcrezam'

A selection with deeply cut lobes, its leaves thicker than typical Acer saccharum and very durable, turning orange in autumn (Hatch 2021–2022). Introduced by Lake County Nursery, Ohio in 2005 (Hatch 2021–2022).

'Firehouse'

Noted for its striking orange and red autumn colour, introduced by Greenleaf Nursery, US (Hatch 2021–2022).

'Flax Mill Majesty'

Introduced by Flax Mill Nursery, New York in 1983, Acer saccharum ‘Flax Mill Majesty’ forms a large, vigorous tree with a symmetrical crown with dark green leaves that colour red to orange notably early (Jacobson 1996). Noted as well-suited to northern parts of the United States by Dirr & Warren (2019).

Acer saccharum 'Flax Mill Majesty' is noted for its reliable shape (Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, August 2022). Image John Grimshaw.

'Flower'

Named around 1958 for H.C. Flower of Manchester, Vermont, from whose land it was selected from an exceptionally narrow tree (Hatch 2021–2022). Never thought to have been widely circulated, it was reported long-since commerically extinct in by Jacobson (1996) who cited a specimen with an 11 m spread, suggesting the attribute for which it was selected was soon lost.

'Globosum'

A tree with a globose crown, as wide or wider than tall (van Gelderen et al. 1994; Jacobson 1996). It was found by W.K. LaBar, of Labar’s Rhododendron Nursery, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, in the mountains of North Carolina, and introduced by Kingsville Nursery, Maryland around 1942 (Jacobson 1996). It is usually top-grafted to produce a tree with a tight, rounded crown (Jacobson 1996). Its autumn colour is golden orange to red (van Gelderen et al. 1994; Jacobson 1996).

'Goldspire'

Introduced by Princeton Nurseries, New Jersey, in 1973–74, this is the result of a cross between ‘Newton Sentry’ and ‘Temple’s Upright’ (Jacobson 1996). It has a compact form, with a more or less columnar crown, with leaves that resist scorch, turning yellow or orange in autumn later than most Acer saccharum selections (van Gelderen et al. 1994; Jacobson 1996).

'Green Mountain'

Probably the best known Acer saccharum selection, ‘Green Mountain’ has a broadly oval crown and vigorous growth (van Gelderen et al. 1994; Jacobson 1996). Introduced by Princeton Nursery, New Jersey, 1964–65, it is tolerant of urban conditions and produces reliably fine autumn colour, from yellow to red (van Gelderen et al. 1994; Jacobson 1996; Dirr & Warren 2019).

'Hawkersmith 1'

A slow-growing tree with a dense, vase-shaped crown and bronze new growth (Hatch 2021–2022). Tolerant of heat and drought, it colours orange to red in autumn, a little later than most other selections (Dirr & Warren 2019). It also has a smaller ultimate size than most Acer saccharum selections, reaching little more than 10 m (Dirr & Warren 2019).

'Hiawatha 1'

Selected from along the Oregon Trail in Hiawatha, Kansas, which is known as ‘The City of Beautiful Maples’ on account of significant plantings of Acer saccharum over several years (Grimm’s Gardens 2020). Heat resistant, OREGON TRAIL™ develops a rounded crown and has thick leaves with vibrant orange to red autumn color (Dirr & Warren 2019). It was introduced by J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co. in 2010 (Hatch 2021–2022).

'Jefcan'

Selected in Manitoba from a seedling of northern Minnesota origin, ‘Jefcan’ is thought by Dirr & Warren (2019) to be the most cold hardy of all Acer saccharum selections. It has a good growth rate and yellow, orange or red autumn colour (Dirr & Warren 2019).

'Jefselk'

Selected by Jeffries Nurseries, Manitoba, from the Red River Valley in that province. It has a broad upright form and orange autumn colour, and is suggested for use in the Canadian southern prairies by those who introduced it (Jeffries Nurseries 2017).

'JFS-KW8'

A fast-growing, upright cultivar suggested for use as a street tree by Dirr & Warren (2019). It develops a broad oval crown and exhibits orange to red autumn colour (Dirr & Warren 2019), turning earlier than typical Acer saccharum (Schmidt 2019). Introduced by J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co. (Schmidt 2019).

'Jocazam'

Of pyramidal form with leaves up to 30 cm wide, vigorous growth and vibrant orange-red autumn colour (Jacobson 1996). It was introduced in 1994–95 by Lake County Nursery, Ohio (Jacobson 1996).

'Legacy'

Selected by W. Wandell of Urbana, Illinois and introduced in 1981–82 by Moller Nursery, Oregon (van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom 1994; Jacobson 1996). A vigorous grower, Acer saccharum ‘Legacy’ develops a heavily branched, rounded crown, ultimately attaining around 15 m (Jacobson 1996; Dirr & Warren 2019). Its leaves are glossy, tatter-resistant, and in autumn turn reddish in the northern United States, and orange to yellow in southern regions, where it is the most popular Acer saccharum cultivar, noted for its reliability (Dirr & Warren 2019). Its cold hardiness appears to be disputed, however, with Jacobson (1996, p. 58) noting it to be ‘exceptionally cold-hardy’, whereas Dirr & Warren (2019) suggest that it is less hardy than many other selections of the species. The hardiness indicators used here (USDA 6–9) reflect the opinions of the latter authors.

'Louisa Lad'

Named and introduced by J.J.W.M. van den Oever, the Netherlands, in 1984, this is a fast growing form of broadly upright habit suited to use a street tree (van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom 1994; van Gelderen & van Gelderen 1999). Noted for its vibrant yellow to orange-red autumn colours, which develop well in western European climates (van Gelderen & van Gelderen 1999). It was named after the Louisa Hof estate in the Netherlands, on which the den Oever Nurseries are based (van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom 1994).

'Millane's Dwarf'

A densely crowned, slow growing selection of only modest proportions, reaching 2.5 m tall after 15 years (Hatch 2021–2022). It was introduced by Theodore Klein of Kentucky in around 1980 (Hatch 2021–2022).

'Morton'

Introduced by The Morton Arboretum in the 1960s, this is a clone with darker leaves and some heat resistance (Dirr & Warren 2019). Its autumn colour is orange-red to bright red (Dirr & Warren 2019).

MOUNTAIN PARK™

An evenly branched selection resistant to mildew, and with strong orange to scarlet autumn colour, introduced by Moller Nursery, Oregon c. 1991–92 (Jacobson 1996). Jacobson lists only the trade designation (used here) and no alternative proper cultivar name has been traced.

'Newton Sentry'

With a very columnar habit, this is the narrowest of all maples, and ‘as close as you can come to a living telephone pole’ (Dirr & Warren 2019, p. 128). It lacks a central leader and all main branches ascend vertically, with stubby lateral branches produced on the upright stems (Dathe 1983). A lack of low branches renders it unsuitable as a hedge and its leaves, which exhibit typical colour for the species, fall early (Dathe 1983; van Gelderen et al. 1994). Reported as rarely sold by Dirr & Warren (2019), the original tree was found in 1871 by A.H. Fewkes at Cafflin Grammar School, Massachusetts, where he was a student. Expansion of the school resulted in the tree being moved to Newton Cemetery in the 1870s (Dathe 1983). Measured at just over 12 m with a spread of 30 cm in 1954, the tree stood at over 15 m tall and 4 m wide in the 1990s (van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom 1994).

This selection has historically been much confused with ‘Temple’s Upright’, though the confusion was finally resolved by Dathe (1983). The information that follows summarises his article, published in Arnoldia in 1983: Nurseryman F.L. Temple introduced ‘Newton Sentry’ (as A. saccharum columnare) via his Shady Hill Nurseries, Massachusetts in 1885–86, then two years later ‘Temple’s Upright’ (as A. saccharum monumentale). Though easily distinguished (‘Temple’s Upright’ has a broader habit and grows with a central leader, and without stubby lateral branches), the two names became confused and in an attempt to resolve the situation, Bernard Harkness, a Rochester, New York based taxonomist, proposed the names under which these are both known today in 1954. However, in his descriptions, he confused which of the two possessed stubby lateral branches, and further, an illustration accompanying his article (Baileya 2 (3): 99), shows ‘Newton Sentry’ to have a central leader, and ‘Temple’s Upright’ not. This error was perpetuated in several publications and on plant labels at the Arnold Arboretum, though long since corrected.

'October Sunrise'

A cultivar of unknown origin with vibrant orange to red autumn colour (Hatch 2021–2022).

'Reba'

Introduced by J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co. (Hatch 2021–2022), a near-columnar selection made from material originating in Tennessee (Dirr & Warren 2019). Heat adapted, its autumn colour is yellow to orange (Dirr & Warren 2019).

'Sandborn'

Acer saccharum ‘Sandborn’ is a narrow columnar selection that was named around 1958 (Jacobson 1996). It originated in Concord, New Hampshire, on land owned by a Mrs Sandborn (Jacobson 1996).

'Sandersville'

Introduced by J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co., Oregon in 2009 (Hatch 2021–2022) from material originating from the sandhills of Georgia (Dirr & Warren 2019). It has a broad oval crown and its autumn colours are consistently orange (Hatch 2021–2022). Dirr & Warren (2019) speculate that it may be a hybrid with Acer floridanum.

'Seneca Chief'

Introduced by Schichtel Nursery, New York, in 1979, ‘Seneca Chief’ has a densely branched, narrow, oval crown (van Gelderen et al. 1994; Jacobson 1996). Its leaves turn yellow and orange in autumn (van Gelderen et al. 1994; Jacobson 1996).

'Shawnee'

With a densely branched, ovoid form selected from a witch’s broom, ‘Shawnee’ was introduced by Theodore Klein of Kentucky, in 1980 (Hatch 2021–2022).

'Shawn's Pillar'

A slow-growing selection, ‘Shawn’s Pillar’ has a similar form to ‘Newton Sentry’, but more compact (Hatch 2021–2022).

'Sisseton'

Introduced by J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co., Oregon, in 2011 (Hatch 2021–2022), it was selected from the western edge of the range of Acer saccharum in South Dakota (Dirr & Warren 2019). Described as ‘tough and reliable’ by (Dirr & Warren (2019, p. 128), it forms a broad crown with a strong central leader. Autumn colour is orange to red (Dirr & Warren 2019).

'Skybound'

Of narrow upright habit, becoming broader with age, ‘Skybound’ was introduced by Synnestvedt Nursery, Illinois, in around 1988 (Hatch 2021–2022). It has yellow to orange autumn colour (Hatch 2021–2022).

'Sugar Cone'

A compact, narrowly ovate and densely crowned selection described by Dirr & Warren (2019) as a ‘semi-dwarf’, ‘Sugar Cone’ was introduced around 2003 and has good orange to red autumn colour (Dirr and Warren 2019; Hatch 2021–2022).

'Summer Proof'

A vigorous clone of spreading habit, as its name suggests ‘Summer Proof’ is heat tolerant, resisting windburn and sunburn (Jacobson 1996; Hatch 2021–2022).

'Sweet Shadow'

Introduced by Powell Valley Nursery, Oregon, in 1961–62 (Jacobson 1996), Acer saccharum ‘Sweet Shadow’ has an upright form becoming vase-shaped with age, with deeply dissected leaves that turn orange in autumn (Dirr & Warren 2019). It is favoured for its more fine-textured appearance compared with typical A. saccharum.

'Temple's Upright'

An upright clone first introduced in the 1880s by F.L. Temple of Shady Hill Nurseries, Cambridge, Massachusetts under the name ‘Monumentale’, but that name quickly became confused in the trade with another of Temple’s A. saccharum cultivars, ‘Columnare’ (now ‘Newton Sentry’) and so Temple’s ‘Monumentale’ was renamed ‘Temple’s Upright’ in 1954 (Jacobson 1996). It differs from ‘Newton Sentry’ in possessing a central leader and in the absence of short, stubby lateral branches (Dathe 1983). Further background on the source of the confusion between these selections is included in the account of ‘Newton Sentry’.

The extraordinary narrow column that is Acer saccharum 'Temple's Upright' (Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, August 2022). Image John Grimshaw.

Acer saccharum 'Temple's Upright' (Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, August 2022). Image John Grimshaw.

Acer saccharum 'Temple's Upright' (Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, August 2022). Image John Grimshaw.

var. schneckii Rehder

The distribution given here follows (Weakley & Southeastern Flora Team 2022), which is far broader than that stated in New Trees (Grimshaw & Bayton 2009), though the former work notes a lack of clarity in some areas. Following this tentative interpretation, Acer saccharum var. schneckii overlaps with the typical variety though extends further south (Weakley & Southeastern Flora Team 2022). Where they overlap, they flower and fruit asynchronously, though are only weakly differentiated morphologically (see key to the group in main account for A. saccharum).

Given the uncertain status of this taxon, it is unsurprising that there are few plants in collections attributed to this variety. A plant at Arboretum Wespelaar, Belgium, sourced from Plantentuin Esveld and grown as var. schneckii, retains tangled hairs along along the veins on the fallen leaves (J. Ossaer pers. comm. 2022). van Gelderen et al. (1994) state that a plant so-named at Wageningen, The Netherlands, may not be accurately identified.

'Wright Brothers'

A selection of rapid growth, reportedly as much as twice the growth rate of typical Acer saccharum seedlings (Jacobson 1996). Introduced by Siebenthaler Nursery, Ohio in 1980, it has a broadly conical crown and strong yellow, orange and scarlet autumn colour which develops late in the season (Jacobson 1996; Dirr & Warren 2019).