Grow A Sugar Maple Tree From Seed
Sugar Maple Tree —Acer Saccharum (Maple Syrup Producers)
Sugar Maple Trees are stunningly beautiful trees for yards and landscapes, on top of providing their sustenance of sweet sap as they mature.
Maple syrup is made from any species of maple tree, but of all the maples, the highest concentration of sweet sugar is found in the sap of the sugar maple.
These maples can be grown in zones 3-8 around the world, known to originate in eastern North America. They thrive in full sun to partial shade needing 5 hours of sun with well-drained, moderately moist, rich, fertile soil. They grow in a beautiful round, oval shape that offers gorgeous red/orange-coloured leaves in the fall.
They produce pairs of winged seeds about 1–1½" long annually that mature in September or October. These winged Maple seeds are also called "samaras." They have a paper-like part of the wing that turns brown, and at the base, a roundish, thick fleshy part, which is the seed that is still slightly green and turns brown when fully dry.
If planting for sap harvest, a healthy sugar maple must be mature to be tapped for its sugars. On average, 10-12" diameters measured at least 4 1/2 feet above the ground before tapping.
Come plant sugar maple seeds with us. Maples are an easy tree to plant from seed; they are commonly grown and nurtured with a growing family or even in honour of a loved one to make memories with. They live up to 400 years for future generations to have beauty and abundance of nourishing, healing sap.
Starting Sugar Maple Tree Seeds Indoors
Soak your dry harvested or bought/gifted seeds in water 24-36 hours before you plan on sowing your sugar maple seeds. Maple tree seeds need a period of cold stratification, meaning we have to mimic the cold they would go through during the winter season.
For germination, seeds can be placed in a small container or bag with fresh seed-starting medium like sand or vermiculite or even simply fresh seedling soil. Sow the seed 1/2 inch into the medium. Moisten the soil or medium thoroughly, and cover the container with plastic film or lid to keep moisture in.
Place a container or bag in your refrigerator for 90-120 days or another cold location with temperatures between 33 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit or 1 -7 degrees Celsius to cold stratify the sugar maple seeds adequately. (note: if temps are inconsistent, germination may not be successful.)
Check weekly for moisture. Lightly mist with water if needed. Keep moist but not too wet.
After 90-100 days, you will see the seed spouting. When this happens, place the pots with seeds in a warm location with indirect sunlight to stimulate growth—keeping the soil moist for the further growth of a seedling.
As the true leaves appear (the second set of distinguishable shaped leaves) and the seedling is 1-2 inches, the plant can be kept indoors for the first year or placed outside in warm temps to receive morning sun and afternoon shade.
Continue to check the soil at least twice per week for moisture levels; moisture is best, but allow excess water to drain to avoid soggy conditions and root rot. For safety, they can be kept in a small pot for the first 1-2 years of growth, which can be moved if needed.
Starting Sugar Maple Tree Seeds Outdoors
Harvest the seed in the fall; when the seed is brown and dried, break the pair of seeds in two and plant them in a shallow garden pot filled with healthy soil. Only plant them 1" down, not too deep. When leaving outdoors over the winter season, you should cover the pot with some wire screening to keep the squirrels and chipmunks from digging up the new seeds. The seeds must be exposed to the cold and (cold stratified). Place pots in a safe area; in the spring, you should have new maple seedlings. If you don't see seedlings, it can sometimes take two years for them to sprout, but plant a few extra the second season. Once the seedling is a few inches tall with true leaves, you can transplant it to whatever part of your yard/garden you desire with a minimum of 5 hours or more sun.
