Black Maple

Acer nigrum | Zones 3-8 | Soil: Moist, Well-Drained

Black Maple (Acer nigrum) is a large, long-lived shade tree native to the Midwest, prized for its dense canopy, exceptional cold hardiness, and outstanding golden-yellow fall color. Closely related to Sugar Maple, it is more tolerant of heat and drought once established, making it an excellent choice for streets, parks, and large landscapes. Black Maple thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts well to a variety of fertile, well-drained soils. Its seeds provide food for birds and small mammals, while mature trees offer valuable shade and habitat for wildlife. 

Box Elder Maple

Acer negundo | Zones 2-9 | Soil: Widely Adaptable

Box Elder Maple (Acer negundo) is a fast-growing, hardy native maple valued for its adaptability, rapid establishment, and ability to thrive in challenging conditions. Unlike most maples, it has compound leaves similar to ash trees and performs well in wet soils, along stream banks, and on disturbed sites. Box Elder provides excellent wildlife habitat, offering cover and nesting sites for birds while its seeds are an important food source for many species. It is a practical choice for conservation plantings, erosion control, and wildlife habitat projects. 

Mountain Maple

Acer spicatum | Zones 3-7 | Soil: Moist, Well-Drained

Mountain Maple is native to northern Wisconsin, occurring more frequently in the northern half of the state and less commonly in the south.  It thrives in moist, rich woodlands, especially along streams, ravines, limestone or dolomite outcrops, and wet forest understories.

Red Maple

Acer rubrum | Zones 3-9 | Soil: Widely Adaptable

Red Maple Tree is some of the most common trees in eastern North America and are known for their brilliant red and orange autumn foliage. Highly adaptable, they overgrow in a variety of soils and reach a mature height of 90+ ft. Occurring naturally from Quebec to Florida, Minnesota to Texas. Tolerant to urbanization they make great shade trees in yards. Maple syrup can be manufactured from the sap.

Silver Maple

Acer saccharinum | Zones 3-9 | Soil: Widely Adaptable

The Silver Maple is a classic American tree that is easily recognized due to its massive size and waxy, silver backed, lobed leaves. Planted in neighborhoods, parks, and lined along streets, it provides cool shade with its dense crown of foliage.  The Silver Maple tree performs best when planted in full sun. It is an extremely fast growing tree that can reach an impressive height of 80 feet. The Silver Maple is classified as a soft wood tree.  

Sugar Maple  

Acer saccharum | Zones 3-8 | Soil: Moist, Deep, Well-Drained 

Sugar Maple is a deciduous tree known for brilliant fall colors and sap that is the primary source for maple syrup.  Unlike a lot of trees, Sugar Maple will do well even in the shade of other trees in your yard, and it won't mind heat or drought. It's adaptable to many conditions.  Sweeter than the syrup of other Maple Saps like the Black Maple or the Red Maple, the Sugar Maple sap produces syrup that is less cloudy and of higher quality than the others.