Selecting Landscape Plants: Shade Trees

Silver maple (Acer saccharinum)

Large trees

• Maximum height
  90 feet
• Relative growth rate
  Excellent
• Freedom from insect pests
  Good
• Freedom from disease problems
  Good
• Resistance to storm damage
  Very poor
• Will grow on poorly drained soil
  Excellent
• Will grow in hot, dry areas
  Poor
• Easy to transplant
  Good
• Withstands city conditions
  Poor

Silver maple is a fast-growing but relatively short-lived tree. Its brittle wood is too subject to storm damage for it to be recommended for general landscape use. The tree is also notorious for plugging sewer lines and lifting sidewalks. The tree should only be used in areas where its branches will not be a hazard if they fall and where it will not interfere with sewers or sidewalks.