Sugar Maple (Hard Maple) vs Big Leaf Maple - TreeTime.ca

Sugar Maple (Hard Maple) vs Big Leaf Maple

Acer macrophyllum

Acer saccharum

CUSTOM GROW

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Big Leaf Maple
Sugar Maple (Hard Maple)

Big Leaf Maple has a broad, rounded crown and the largest leaves of all the maples. The pleasant shape and large leaves make this maple a striking and attractive tree. In autumn, the leaves turn vibrant shades of gold and orange.

Big Leaf Maple is a soil building species, meaning that it improves the soil conditions where it grows.

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.

Big Leaf Maple Quick Facts

Sugar Maple (Hard Maple) Quick Facts

Zone: 5a
Zone: 4a
Height: 15 m (50 ft)
Height: 20 m (66 ft)
Spread: 15 m (50 ft)
Spread: 11 m (35 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none


Foliage: very large in classic maple shape
Fall colour: yellow to gold
Seeds: winged samara
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: BC
Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB, PE
Other Names: big-leaf maple, bigleaf maple, oregon maple
Other Names: hard maple, rock maple