Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair)
Acer saccharum
Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) (Acer saccharum) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 40–50 ft tall and 30–40 ft wide, slow-growing, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Sugar maple struggles with our alkaline pH, intense sun, and dry summers, better suited to the eastern US.
low to medium water40–50 ft tall and 30–40 ft wideXeric / water-wise
Photos
- Photo 1: "Sugar Maple-Acer saccharum-Comfort Maple Conservation Area-Town of Pelham-Ontario-OHAR5725-20221023 (1)" by Mhsheikholeslami is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.
- Photo 2: "Acer saccharum foliage" by No machine-readable author provided. MPF assumed (based on copyright claims). is licensed under CC BY 2.5. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/.
- Photo 3: (c) oksanaetal, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 4: no rights reserved, uploaded by Kent P. McFarland
- Photo 5: Superior National Forest
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 5.5–7.3
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 40–50 ft tall and 30–40 ft wide
- Mature form
- Oval / upright
- Spacing / clearance
- ~40 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
What it looks like, and when
- Fall color
- Orange, red, yellow
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- Watch: Leaf ScorchIts leaf edges brown in hot, dry wind, so give it steady summer water and some shelter from the worst afternoon blast.
Common problems on the Front Range
- Aphids and honeydew
- Verticillium wilt on some species
- Leaf scorch in hot, dry, windy sites
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply every 7–10 days through the first 2 summers. Winter water 1–2×/month October–March when soil is dry and unfrozen, winter desiccation is a top killer of newly-planted trees. Year 3: taper to 2×/month in summer, then rely on natural precipitation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) get?
- It matures to about 40–50 ft tall and 30–40 ft wide.
- How much room does Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) need?
- Give Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) about 40 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) grow into?
- Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) typically grows into an upright-oval crown, taller than it is wide. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) hardy on the Front Range?
- Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How much water does Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) grow?
- Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) live?
- Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) is long-lived, a multi-generational tree given good siting and care. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) turn in fall?
- Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) turns orange, red, and yellow in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) deer-resistant?
- No. Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair) can be affected by aphids and honeydew and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
