Acer saccharum, Sugar Maple is a native to the hardwood forests of eastern Canada and the eastern United States and best known for being the primary source of maple syrup and for its brightly colored yellow-to-orange-to-scarlet fall foliage. Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best in fertile, slightly acidic, moist soils in full sun. Grows poorly in compacted, poorly drained soils. Mature size ranges from 60-75 ft. but it can grow much taller in the wild. Sugar maple is suscetible to salt, excessive heat, and leaf scorch in drought, but is a favorite of bees and birds.
 
Mainly found in the mountains, and widely scattered into the eastern Piedmont. Click to see its range in North Carolina
 
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