Acer saccharum
Specifications
Family
Sapindaceae
Species
Acer saccharum L.
silver maple
white maple
hard maple
Description
The sapwood is whitish or has a light pinkish-brown hue, while the heartwood is reddish brown. The texture is fine and uniform, the grain straight, and the density ranges from 0.55 to 0.70. Drying must be carried out with great care. It offers excellent mechanical strength but poor durability.
Plant morphology
A tree reaching 25-35 m in height, with a columnar trunk 60-80 cm in diameter and light gray bark with longitudinal fissures. The leaves are palmate, with three very large lobes and two more subtle ones, dark green in color and bright red in autumn. The greenish flowers are gathered in corymbs. The fruit is a winged samara.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Northeastern United States: from Nova Scotia to Southern Ontario and south to Georgia.
Habitat and ecology
A shade-loving species, it commonly grows in riparian sites with moist but well-drained soils. It does not tolerate sandy or overly acidic soils. It is very important in the composition of North American forests, where it can form mixed forests with poplars, elms, oaks, ash, and willows. Its range overlaps with that of other maples, such as the red maple; the silver maple dominates the basal formations, while the red maple can persist even at higher altitudes. Silver maple and red maple can hybridize.
Uses
Use class
CU1
CU2
CU3
CU4
CU5
Application areas
It is used for furniture, flooring, vehicle parts, butcher's cutting boards, turning, toys, shoe lasts, sports equipment, staves, and veneers.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
This maple is susceptible to attacks by some bacterial and fungal pathogens, as well as by certain parasites, such as the Asian longhorned beetle. Other problems for the conservation of this species include pollution, particularly acid rain, wind, and frost. Furthermore, in the future, the species' conservation may be threatened by climate change, which could lead to substantial changes in its range and habitat availability.
Conservation measures
Not reported.
IUCN Red List
IUCN
LC - Least Concern - Low Risk
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
2017
1975
2050
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
2017
Not present.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Slightly obvious
Texture
Fine
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
530
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
3
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
72
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
61
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
7860
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Not durable
Insect resistance
Not resistant
Miscellaneous
At the centre of the Canadian flag is a leaf of Acer saccharum.