Silver Maple
Acer saccharinum
Family: Sapindaceae
Natural History
Upper and lower surfaces of silver maple leaves | Photo credit: Larry Korhnak, University of Florida
Silver maple is one of the most common tree species in the United States. It is known by a range of other common names, including creek maple, river maple, silverleaf maple, soft maple, water maple, and white maple.
It is a close relative of red maple (Acer rubrum) and can hybridize with it. The resulting hybrid is known as "Freeman maple."
Silver maple is tolerant of a wide range of climates, and as a result has been cultivated in many countries outside of its native range - including countries as far north as Norway, and as far south as Brazil and Argentina.