Looking for a beautiful tree that thrives in zones 7-8? Look no further than the Acer saccharum collected from southern US states, commonly known as the Sugar Maple. This deciduous tree is native to the hardwood forests of northeastern North America, from Nova Scotia to Texas. The Sugar Maple is a slow-growing tree that typically reaches heights of 80-120 ft. Its leaves are deciduous, 8-15 centimeters long, and equally wide with five palmate lobes. The fall color is often spectacular, ranging from bright yellow through orange to fluorescent red-orange. Flowers bloom in early spring and seeds ripen from October to December. This tree prefers light, medium, and heavy soils and requires well-drained soil. It can tolerate semi-shade and atmospheric pollution. Sugar maple, of course, gets its name for having a higher sugar content in its sap, which is boiled down to make maple syrup. Whether you want a towering specimen or a smaller statement, Acer saccharum is sure to add beauty to any landscape.
