Sale
Sold out
Large deciduous tree
Sapindaceae
Large Canadian Zone 3 native maple for extensive moist to wet sites
Silver maple
Acer saccharinum
Silver maple is a fast-growing native Canadian shade tree, generally 20 to 30 m high and 12 to 20 m wide. Deeply lobed light-green leaves flash silver beneath in the wind, then become pale yellow to yellow-brown in autumn. Hardy in Canadian Zone 3, it prefers full sun and rich, moist to wet soil while tolerating clay and temporary flooding. Reserve it for very large spaces away from buildings, overhead lines, drains and pavement. Early structural pruning and professional inspection reduce risks associated with weak wood, narrow unions and increasingly heavy branches. Its two sale heights do not change the mature size required by the species.
200 cm and 250 cm
Each store has its own inventory.
Products and available quantities may vary between Brossard and Laval. To check a store’s inventory, please contact us directly.
Even better: visit us in store to discover the full selection available!
- Quantity
- 200 cm and 250 cm
- Exposure
- Full sun; light partial shade tolerated
- Hardiness
- Canadian Zone 3
Discover the plant
Common nameSilver maple; soft maple; river maple
FamilySapindaceae
GenusAcer
Speciessaccharinum
TypeLarge deciduous tree
Botanical nameAcer saccharinum
Silver maple (Acer saccharinum) is a large deciduous tree native to eastern North America and naturally associated with floodplains, shorelines and alluvial soils. Fast growth produces a broad, open and irregular crown, generally 20 to 30 m high and 12 to 20 m wide. Deeply cut leaves are light green above and silver beneath, flashing in the wind before becoming pale yellow to yellow-brown in autumn. Petal-free greenish to reddish flowers appear very early in spring before the leaves, followed by large paired samaras that fall in late spring. Older grey bark separates into shaggy strips and adds winter texture to an increasingly massive trunk.
Hardy in Canadian Zone 3, silver maple performs best in full sun and rich, moist to wet soil that still supplies oxygen to roots. It tolerates clay, temporary flooding and, once established, short drier periods, although consistent moisture supports its best growth. Water deeply through the first two growing seasons, keep the root flare visible and maintain 5 to 8 cm of mulch without touching the trunk. Avoid salt, compaction and changes in soil grade. Begin structural training early because weak wood and narrow branch unions can fail under wind, wet snow or ice. Inspect the crown after severe weather and use a certified arborist for elevated or large-branch work.
Reserve this silver maple tree for very large properties, parks, managed shorelines and rain gardens with an extensive soil volume. Vigorous shallow roots can lift surfaces and enter already damaged pipes, so keep the tree well away from buildings, sidewalks, parking areas, drains and underground services. Do not plant beneath overhead lines or where a falling branch could threaten a frequently used space. In a suitable Canadian site, rapid growth creates shade, silver leaf undersides animate the landscape and the crown provides food and shelter for wildlife. Long-term success depends on honest spacing, early branch-structure management and professional inspection as large limbs mature.
Planting guide
From planting to establishment.
Spacing / density
Space 15 to 20 m (49 to 66 ft) apart and according to nearby infrastructure
Best planting time
Spring or early autumn, allowing enough time for rooting before freeze-up
Propagation
Seed for the species, followed by nursery selection and training
Soil and care
The right care,at the right time.
Minimum temperature
Approximately -40 °C (-40 °F)
Care level
Moderate
Drought tolerance
Yes
Watering
Water slowly and deeply after planting, then keep the root ball and neighbouring soil evenly moist through the first two growing seasons. Check moisture beneath mulch before irrigating again and expand the watered area as roots extend. An established tree tolerates short drier periods but performs best with consistent moisture. During prolonged drought, irrigate deeply rather than applying small daily amounts beside the trunk. Temporary flooding is tolerated; permanently stagnant water requires correction of the site. Continue monitoring during hot, windy weather because rapid canopy growth increases demand.
Soil type
Choose deep, rich, moist to wet soil, ideally alluvial, that retains water while still supplying oxygen to roots. Silver maple tolerates clay and temporary flooding, but permanent submersion or compacted fill can weaken the tree. Loosen an area much wider than the root ball, keep the root flare at grade and direct runoff without holding water against the trunk. Avoid damaged underground pipes within the future root zone. Soil volume and structure matter more than imposing a precise pH target without testing the site.
Fertilization
In suitable soil, 5 to 8 cm of organic mulch and a thin surface layer of mature compost in spring are generally sufficient. If growth or colour appears weak, test the soil before adding a labelled tree fertilizer. Avoid heavy nitrogen, products placed against the trunk and late feeding, which extends soft growth before Canadian cold weather. Correct drainage and watering before assuming fertilizer will solve limited growth.
Moisture
Moist to wet soil; temporary flooding tolerated
Seasonal care
In spring, inspect the trunk, root flare and major branch unions after snowmelt and ice events. Restore 5 to 8 cm of mulch without covering bark, remove tight ties and water when rainfall is inadequate. Observe very early flowers and later samaras; remove misplaced seedlings before large roots develop. In summer, check moisture, drainage and compaction beyond the original root ball. Watch for aphids, scale insects, anthracnose, tar spot, cankers and Verticillium symptoms, then obtain a diagnosis before treating. Gradually develop a balanced framework, subordinate competing branches and remove only dead, broken, diseased or crossing wood after leaves expand. Never top the crown. In autumn, water deeply before freeze-up when soil is dry, collect heavily spotted leaves and confirm that drainage remains functional. In winter, direct salt-laden snow elsewhere, protect the young trunk from rodents without tightening the guard and observe wet-snow loading. After every major wind or ice event, keep the area beneath the canopy clear until inspection is complete. Hire a certified arborist for large limbs, cracks, cavities and elevated work. Photograph the same unions annually to document changes in loading, included bark and wound closure. Reassess clearance from structures, pavement and overhead services as the crown and root zone expand. Also verify clearance from wires, buildings and paths as the crown expands, and keep service access open around the root zone.
Bloom and dimensions
Its place,in your garden.
Mature height
20 to 25 m (66 to 82 ft)
Width / spread
15 m (49 ft)
Flower color
Greenish, yellowish to reddish
Foliage color
Light green with silver undersides; pale yellow to yellow-brown in autumn
Foliage type
Deciduous
Growth rate
Fast
Growth habit
Broad, open, rounded to irregular
Bloom period
Small petal-free greenish, yellowish to reddish flowers open in clusters very early in spring before the leaves expand. Across Canada, timing shifts with region and snowmelt, and an early warm period can advance bloom. Their visual effect is subtle, but they provide an early seasonal resource for some insects. Avoid non-targeted insecticides during this period. Fertilized flowers quickly produce large paired samaras that mature and fall in late spring. Bloom and fruit abundance can vary between individual trees and from one spring to another.
Fruiting
Large paired samaras, often approximately 4 to 6 cm long, mature and fall in late spring, much earlier than those of many other maples. They can germinate quickly on bare, moist soil. Clear fruit from gutters, paths and young plantings, and remove misplaced seedlings while small. Seed-grown plants belong to the species but may vary in habit. Fruit provides food for some wildlife and can be abundant on a mature tree. Do not allow volunteers to develop beside foundations, drains or other infrastructure where later removal would disturb roots.
Garden associations
In goodcompany.
Companion plants
Pair silver maple with native plants for moist to wet soil, such as red-osier dogwood, winterberry, suitable viburnums, common ninebark, sedges, ferns and shoreline perennials matched to the site. Establish them toward the future crown perimeter without cutting major roots, covering the flare or obstructing inspection. Avoid invasive species and plants that require dry soil. Keep an open zone around the young trunk and select every companion according to the actual duration of flooding. Diverse layers provide more stable habitat than relying on one large tree alone.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions,answered.
Why do silver maple leaves look white in the wind?
The upper leaf surface is light green, while the underside is white-silver. Deep lobes and fairly flexible petioles allow a breeze to turn part of the foliage quickly and expose this pale underside. From a distance, the tree appears to flash or change colour. This movement is normal and represents its principal ornamental feature. A leaf that becomes uniformly pale, brown or wilted shows a different condition. Check moisture, drainage, salt exposure, root disturbance and leaf spots in that case. Compare several branches and obtain a diagnosis when decline progresses instead of automatically attributing the symptom to the naturally silver underside. Healthy leaves return to their usual green appearance when the wind subsides.
How far should silver maple be planted from buildings and pipes?
No universal distance replaces a site plan, but mature size requires generous separation. Allow for a 12 to 20 m crown, 20 to 30 m of height and a vigorous shallow root system extending far beyond the sale root ball. Keep the trunk away from foundations, sidewalks, parking areas, drains, septic components, pipes and overhead services. Have utilities located before digging and follow municipal or service-provider requirements. A root most often exploits an already damaged pipe, but it can complicate repair. When the property cannot provide these clearances, choose a smaller tree rather than relying on repeated crown or root pruning. Future access for inspection and infrastructure work must remain open.
Does silver maple tolerate flooding and drought?
The species is naturally associated with floodplains and tolerates temporary saturation or flooding better than many maples. It performs best, however, in moist to wet alluvial soil that regains oxygen; permanent submersion can kill roots. An established tree also withstands short drier periods, but this tolerance does not replace irrigation during establishment or a prolonged drought. Check moisture beneath mulch before acting, water deeply and allow excess water to move away. Observe the actual duration of flooding rather than the simple presence of surface water. When the water table remains high or soil is compacted, correct the site before planting. Root health depends on both moisture and oxygen.
Why can silver maple break during storms?
Fast growth produces relatively weak wood and sometimes long, heavy limbs. When stems or branches of similar diameter meet in a narrow union with included bark, the attachment resists wind, wet snow and ice less effectively. Begin structural pruning while the tree is young to distribute scaffold branches and gradually subordinate competitors. Never top the crown because vigorous regrowth creates additional weak attachments. After a storm, keep the area clear and look for cracks, suspended branches or a change in lean. Assign every large cut, cavity assessment or elevated task to a certified arborist rather than working beneath an unstable limb. Regular inspection cannot eliminate weather risk, but it can identify developing defects earlier.
Is silver maple suitable for a small urban yard?
Generally not. Silver maple can reach 20 to 30 m in height and 12 to 20 m in width while developing vigorous roots near the surface. In a small yard, the crown soon meets the house, overhead services or neighbouring property, while roots conflict with pavement, drains and restricted soil. Weak wood adds concern when large limbs extend above a patio, driveway or play area. The 200 and 250 cm options are sale heights only and do not make the species compact. Choose a tree whose mature dimensions genuinely match available soil volume and clearances, and reserve silver maple for a park or very large moist property. Correct species selection is more effective than permanent size control through pruning.
Wildlife and pets
Life,around your plants.
Native plant
Yes
Supporting wildlife
As a native tree, silver maple produces seed eaten by some birds and small mammals. Foliage and twigs may feed deer or beaver, while a large crown and hollows in an old trunk provide shelter or resting sites. Very early flowers may be visited by insects. Add several native plant layers, and have any cavity that could weaken a major limb professionally assessed.