Shade Tree Decision, A Tale Of Two Maples

Over the years I have met many people looking for a fast growing tree for their yard. We all dream about sitting under the shade of a majestic tree and sipping a glass of cool ice tea. It would wonderful if I could simply jot down a list of trees that would become magnificent specimens within a matter of 5-10 years. However, in real life the list of fast growers come with an unfortunate catch. For the sake of time and space I am going to simplify by using the Maple family for an example.

The Silver Maple, (Acer saccharinum) is a popular, fast growing, “soft maple.” Hardy in zones 3-9, this tree can grow from 12-20 inches per year. At maturity it can reach up to 100 feet tall and 70 feet wide. That’s the good news. The bad news is that this tree has a shallow root system. Its roots are known to invade sewer lines and septic fields. Roots also cause cracks in foundations and upheaval of sidewalks or driveways. Fast growth also attributes to soft, weak wood making it prone to wind, heavy snow or ice damage. The silver maple is susceptible to pests and disease and has a short life span.

The Sugar Maple, (Acer saccharum) is a “hard maple” widely known for its brilliant fall color and as a primary source of maple syrup. It is hardy in US zones 3-8 as well as parts of Canada. A Sugar Maple may take as long as 50 years to reach its mature size of 75-80 feet tall and 40-60 foot spread. The US Forest Service indicates that this tree can live as much as 200-300 years.

Do your homework before you go shopping for your next landscape project. Local garden centers and extension offices have qualified people ready to help you in plant selection. Ask yourself, “What is the long term purpose for this planting?” Make your choices from there. Time spent in the planning is time saved in the end.