Silver Maple

Trimmed Silverleaf Maple, Acer saccharinum

Silver Maple is a rapidly growing tree of medium height, growing up to 24 m (80 ft), that may live up to 130 years. Other common names include soft maple, river maple, silverleaf maple, water maple, white maple, and swamp maple. While its native range is along the east coast of North America, it has been readily introduced for landscaping purposes in other states as well as near the Black Sea coast. It is best suited for sunny areas with adequate moisture such as near streams, lake fringes, and small depressions.

Bark of Silverleaf Maple.

Although the wood is brittle and doesn't stand well to ice or high winds, it is easily worked into a variety of items including musical instruments, carts, rails, and furniture. Due to being one of the few species with a fast growth rate, it is also a serious consideration for biofuel. Many birds consume the abundant seeds, beavers and deer consume the bark, and as a tree prone to nest cavities, it also houses a number of species inclucing raccoons, squirrels, woodpeckers, and owls. Native Americans used the sap for a variety of remedies from cramps and dysentery to venereal diseases and as a diuretic. The sap was also commonly used as sugar, for fermentation, breads, dyes, and basketry.