Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
$44.95
Potted stock available late September 2026. Direct dispatch to Eastern States & ACT. TAS, WA & NT via Plant Concierge.
- Deepest Saturated Autumn Colour
- Cool-Climate Specialist
- Potted — Late September
- Grown On At Mittagong
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The Authentic Canadian Autumn.
Acer saccharum—the Sugar Maple—is the botanical masterpiece responsible for the iconic Canadian autumn imagery that defines the global standard for fall colour. In Australia, it is rarely available as specialist nursery stock, frequently confused with or substituted by the vastly different Norway Maple. The true Sugar Maple produces the deepest, most saturated autumn display of any maple species, transitioning through rich orange, fiery red, and brilliant scarlet tones. As a genuine cool-climate specialist, it demands cold winters to perform at its peak, making it the ultimate prestige planting for the Southern Highlands, ACT, alpine Victoria, and Tasmanian highland gardens. Field-grown to Premium grade, lifted at full dormancy and potted on here at Mittagong, this is a strictly limited allocation for serious collectors and landscape designers who refuse to compromise on provenance.
Pot Size: 180mm
Est. Plant Height: Approx. 70cm tall, measured from the base of the pot to the tip of the leader
Mature Size: 10–20m in Australian cultivation
Growth Habit: Large, upright to spreading deciduous canopy tree
Style: Collector Gardens / Cool-Climate Landscapes / Large Estates
APPROXIMATE ACTUAL PLANT SIZE: 70CM TALL (IN A 180MM POT)*
*Heights are measured from the base of the pot to the tip of the leader. Dispatched sizes may vary slightly with seasonal growth, but every specimen carries an established root system ready for its next stage of development.
The Acer saccharum is the undisputed king of autumn colour. Native to eastern North America, it is the exact species that paints the Canadian and New England landscapes in blinding shades of scarlet and orange every fall. It is also the botanical source of real maple syrup. However, in the Australian nursery trade, the name “Maple” is frequently misused. Buyers looking for this iconic tree are often sold the Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) — a completely different species that turns a standard yellow-orange — or are directed to much smaller Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum) that lack the grand architectural scale of a true forest tree.
We are correcting that confusion by offering the genuine article. The Sugar Maple’s autumn colour is the deepest and most saturated of any maple species available. To unlock this spectacular display, it strictly requires genuine winter chilling hours, making it a highly specialised, prestige selection for cool-climate properties.
These specimens began as Premium field-grown stock, lifted at full dormancy and potted on here at Mittagong. By release, they will carry a full season of root establishment — the structural advantage of field production, without the narrow planting window that bare root demands. A strictly limited allocation, and a rare opportunity to secure an authentic landscape masterpiece.
- The Deepest Autumn Scarlet: Produces rich, highly saturated orange, red, and scarlet tones that completely outperform the standard yellows of the Norway Maple.
- The Authentic Sugar Maple: Do not settle for substitutes. This is the true Acer saccharum—the iconic Canadian shade tree and historical source of maple syrup.
- Cool-Climate Perfection: Specially suited for the Southern Highlands, ACT, alpine VIC, and TAS highlands where cold winters drive intense colour saturation.
- Premium Grade, Grown On: Supplied at Premium grade. Field-grown root architecture, now established in a 180mm container through spring — the structural advantage of field production, with the convenience of potted stock.
Build a Cool-Climate Masterpiece
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What is the difference between this and a Norway Maple?
Is this the tree used to make maple syrup?
Is the Sugar Maple suited to my climate?
Can I ship this to Tasmania, Western Australia, or the Northern Territory?
What's the difference between the bare root and potted stock?
Detailed Description and Specs
The Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) is a majestic deciduous forest tree native to eastern North America. Belonging to the Sapindaceae family, it is globally celebrated as the defining species of the Canadian and New England autumn and is the famous leaf depicted on the Canadian flag.
In the Australian market, it is frequently confused with the smaller Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) or the more widely available Norway Maple (Acer platanoides). The Sugar Maple stands apart through its sheer scale — forming a massive, spreading canopy reaching 10–20m in cultivation — and its unrivalled autumn colour saturation. As temperatures drop, the foliage transitions into breathtaking, deep tones of orange, fiery red, and scarlet. It is also the commercial source of maple syrup, adding a layer of rich botanical history to its prestige. Our allocation was field-grown to Premium grade, lifted at full dormancy and potted on at Mittagong to establish through spring. We dispatch from Mittagong in the NSW Southern Highlands, a region free of key plant pests, allowing direct delivery to the Eastern States and the ACT without additional treatment.
Here’s why we think you’ll love the Sugar Maple:
- Species: Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple)
- Provenance: Eastern North America. Supplied through our specialist grower network.
- Autumn Colour: Highly saturated deep orange, red, and scarlet.
- Mature Scale: Large canopy tree (10–20m), significantly larger than Japanese Maples.
- Bonsai Potential: Possible, but primarily grown as a large landscape feature.
- Best For: Cool-climate collector gardens, grand estates, and avenues.
Care and Planting Guide
The Sugar Maple is a magnificent tree, but it is highly specific in its climatic needs. It will reward the right environment with unmatched seasonal beauty.
- Sunlight & Location: Prefers full sun to partial shade. To achieve the most intense autumn colour, it must receive full sun as the days shorten. It requires ample space to accommodate its large, spreading mature canopy.
- Climate Reality: This is a cool-climate specialist. It must experience cold winters with genuine chilling hours. It performs spectacularly in the Southern Highlands, ACT, alpine Victoria, and Tasmania. It will suffer and fail to colour well in hot, coastal, or humid subtropical zones.
- Soil & Drainage: Thrives in deep, rich, well-draining loam. It is slightly more adaptable than other maples but prefers slightly acidic to neutral soils. It does not tolerate heavy, compacted, or perpetually waterlogged clay.
- Watering: Requires consistent moisture, especially during its establishment phase and hot, dry Australian summers. Deep watering and heavy mulching over the root zone are essential. For complete planting and establishment guidance, see our full guide in the Journal: How To Plant Bare Root Trees In Australia.
Shipping and Delivery
Potted Stock — Available Late September 2026
These trees are being grown on at our Mittagong nursery and will be released in late September, established and ready to plant. Join the waitlist above, and you will be notified the moment stock goes live.
Eastern States (NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD, SA)
Eligible for standard shipping via our secure specialist plant freight network. We dispatch from Mittagong in the NSW Southern Highlands, in a region free of key plant pests — which lets us send most species directly to the Eastern States and the ACT without additional treatment.
Tasmania (TAS)
Tasmanian orders are handled through our Plant Concierge, which coordinates all Bass Strait biosecurity treatment and inspection via a licensed specialist before your plants are forwarded to you. Start your enquiry at Plant Concierge.
Western Australia & Northern Territory (WA & NT)
Shipping to WA and NT is handled through our Plant Concierge — a hand-guided pathway across the quarantine border. We prepare and correctly identify your plants, then a licensed quarantine specialist carries out all mandatory treatment and inspection under your state’s protocol before they’re forwarded to you. This involves additional cost and a little planning. Start your enquiry at Plant Concierge.
Lord Howe Island & Norfolk Island
We are unable to ship to Lord Howe Island or Norfolk Island under any circumstances.
Join the Waitlist For the Authentic Sugar Maple
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