Bare Root Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
Large, deciduous, North American shade tree
Description: Spectacular fall color varies from brilliant yellow to burnt orange and red
Habit: Slow-growing tree attains a height of 60-80 feet, potentially higher, and spreading 40-50 feet
Culture: Prefers well-drained, moderately moist, fertile, slightly acidic soil; tolerates some shade
Hardiness: Cold hardy to USDA Zone 3
Origin: Eastern North America
Attributes: Fall color
Jefferson Documented
In 1791, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison embarked on a month-long excursion to Lake Champlain through the heart of New England’s sugar maple country. Jefferson, already inspired by a Philadelphia Quaker movement to abolish the West Indian slave-driven cane industry, envisioned a domestic sugar enterprise at home. Upon his return trip through Long Island, he purchased sixty sugar maple trees from the William Prince Nursery. Although his attempts to tap them ultimately failed, a tree from that original planting survived at Monticello until 1992.
This plant will ship bare root. Approximately 2′ tall.
Bare root planting tips:
~ If you can’t plant immediately, store your plant in a cool location and keep the roots moist or pot in a container with a nursery potting mix from your local garden center.
~ Before planting, let the roots soak for several hours as you prepare the site. You’ll want to dig a large enough hole so the root mass can spread out and the plant is at the same soil level as when it was growing in the nursery.
~ Once planted, water it in well and wait a month before fertilizing. Mulching will help to maintain moisture and raise soil temperatures for faster growth.
