Sugar Maple (Hard Maple) vs Northern Red Oak - TreeTime.ca

Sugar Maple (Hard Maple) vs Northern Red Oak

Quercus rubra

Acer saccharum

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Northern Red Oak
Sugar Maple (Hard Maple)

Northern Red Oak is a medium-sized deciduous tree. It is fast-growing (for an oak tree) and is used primarily in lawns, parks, golf courses, street-side plantings, and commercial areas. Northern Red Oak's fall color is spectacular.

In open spaces, it has a short, massive trunk and an extensive crown. In forests Northern Red Oak grows with a tall columnar bole and small rounded head.

We are one of the only nurseries growing this tree.

Check out some video of the spectacular fall colour on our Northern Red Oak seedlings just before harvest on our YouTube Channel.

Note: Most Oak species can be considered toxic for many animals.

Sugar Maple is a large, deciduous tree known for its brilliant fall yellow, orange, and red-orange color display.

This long-lived shade tree features unique "maple"
lobed leaves.

Note: this Zone 4 tree is unlikely to produce commercially viable sap on the prairies.

Northern Red Oak Quick Facts

Sugar Maple (Hard Maple) Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 4a
Height: 20 m (66 ft)
Height: 20 m (66 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 11 m (35 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: none


Bark: Smooth and grey (young), Furrowed and grey (mature)
Nuts: Produces acorns
Seeds: winged samara
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: champion oak, red oak
Other Names: hard maple, rock maple