Deno’s GardenMy Garden

Acer saccharum

Hard Maple · Rock Maple · Sugar Maple

Family SapindaceaeGenus Acer

Broad five-lobed leaves on red-tinged stalks, held out in layers along a branch in shade.
LeafNo machine-readable author provided. MPF assumed (based on copyright claims).CC BY 2.5

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
TreeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
treePlants of the World Online
Height
40-120 ft12-37 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
30-60 ft9-18 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Gold/Yellow, GreenExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Spring, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Canada, lower 48 statesPLANTS Database
Hardiness zones
3-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), SandExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, MoistExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Watering
Drought tolerance: MediumPLANTS Database

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS.

Worth knowing

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C Light: either

Germination happens during step 1, in 21 days.

75% germination in 21 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Acer p. 83Public domain
Show the original text
Acer (Aceraceae). The three dominant themes in this genus are the diversity of germination behaviors, the presence of impervious seed coats in about half of the species, and the large percentages (90% an more) of empty seed coats in some of the samples even though the seeds were collected from thriving natural colonies. The genus divides into three groups. (a) Seeds ripen in late spring, germinate immediately at 70 (and 40), and do not survive dry storage. (b) Seeds ripen in fall, tolerate dry storage, and usually germinate at 40. (c) Seeds ripen in fall, usually tolerate dry storage, have an impervious seed coat, and mayor may not have inhibitors. The discovery of an impervious seed coat in A. saccharum ripens its seeds the 3rd w in May, and germ. 70(75% in 3-7 d) and 40(75% in 3rd w). Removing the seed coats had no effect, and light had no effect. Seeds DS 6 mat 70 were dead.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Acer p. 83. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 29, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: either

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 7 days to germinate.

75% germination in 3–7 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Acer p. 83Public domain
Show the original text
Acer (Aceraceae). The three dominant themes in this genus are the diversity of germination behaviors, the presence of impervious seed coats in about half of the species, and the large percentages (90% an more) of empty seed coats in some of the samples even though the seeds were collected from thriving natural colonies. The genus divides into three groups. (a) Seeds ripen in late spring, germinate immediately at 70 (and 40), and do not survive dry storage. (b) Seeds ripen in fall, tolerate dry storage, and usually germinate at 40. (c) Seeds ripen in fall, usually tolerate dry storage, have an impervious seed coat, and mayor may not have inhibitors. The discovery of an impervious seed coat in A. saccharum ripens its seeds the 3rd w in May, and germ. 70(75% in 3-7 d) and 40(75% in 3rd w). Removing the seed coats had no effect, and light had no effect. Seeds DS 6 mat 70 were dead.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Acer p. 83. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

Add to My Garden

View species page