The lifespan of maple trees varies according to their kind, and there are many different varieties. Are you looking for information about the silver maple tree variety's lifespan in particular? Well, we've done some research and have the answers below!
Silver Maple trees have an average lifespan of 125 or more. However, some of these lovely trees only live up to 65 years old in more urban areas. So, where you plant a silver maple can impact its overall life expectancy.
We'll delve more deeply into silver maple trees in this article. This kind of maple tree is stunning and durable that everyone should have in their landscape, whether they already have one or intend to plant one. With that said, let's dive right in!
How Long Do Silver Maple Trees Live?
The silver maple, sometimes referred to by its botanical name Acer Saccharinum, thrives in mid-southern and moderate northern temperatures in Canada and the US.
These trees, originating from Eastern North America, reach heights of 50 to 80 feet and have spreads of 35 to 50 feet. The underside of silver maples is silvery-white, with a green top.
Usually, when inquiring about the lifespan of maple trees, consider their yearly growth. Every year, the silver maple tree gains three to seven feet.
As a result, a silver maple takes between six and thirteen years to establish, whereas most other trees often take longer to reach maturity. They are, therefore, more robust and dense than silver maples.
The average lifespan of a silver maple tree is between 100 and 125 years, but it can live for more than 130 years, depending on the habitat.
However, this maple tree only lives between 35 to 65 years in urban environments, a shorter lifespan. The tree is flimsy as well. Additionally, it is susceptible to numerous illnesses and pests, which shortens its lifespan.
Make sure your silver maples get enough air and don't suffer from root or limb shock if you want them to live a long time. Protect the trees from illnesses and pests as well.
How Can I Make A Silver Maple Tree Grow Faster?
You can take various measures to encourage silver maple trees' growth. These enormous trees require space to grow because of their size.
Below are some things you need to know about cultivating these trees:
Environment/Planting Location
Hardiness zones 3-9 support the growth of silver maple trees. When choosing a location for your maple tree, you should look for a spot with moist, acidic soil.
Giving a silver maple tree lots of neighboring room to grow in is also a good idea.
Silver maple trees have a distinctive vase-like shape and grow quite large at maturity, measuring more than 50 feet in height and spread.
Giving silver maples some wind protection is also a smart move. This plant may have weak branches that could snap if subjected to a strong force.
Watering
When the soil is consistently moist, silver maple trees thrive. Consistent watering is essential when the plant is young and establishing itself.
Once a silver maple reaches maturity, it practically requires no additional watering. A mature, vigorous silver maple can withstand droughts and floods.
Fertilizer
In the early spring, fertilize your silver maple once a year. Give out fertilizer that has more potassium and nitrogen. As the silver maple tree prefers a low pH, you can also treat the soil to maintain that condition.
Here are some fertilizers you can use for your silver maple trees:
BioAdvanced Tree & Shrub Fertilizer
It serves as a slow-release fertilizer and protects against various insects that harm trees. Along with two effective insect repellents, it includes a blend of 2% nitrogen, 1% phosphorus, and 1% soluble potash.
Click here to see this BioAdvanced fertilizer on Amazon.
Jobe's Tree & Shrub Fertilizer Spikes
It is a high-quality fertilizer spike with 16% nitrogen, 4% phosphorus, and 4% potash, a combination of potassium salt and carbonate.
Click here to see Jobe's fertilizer spikes on Amazon.
Old Farmer's Almanac Tree & Shrub Fertilizer Spikes
Rather than using plastic sheathing as other spikes, these environmentally friendly fertilizer spikes are made entirely of natural materials. Each spike contains 13% nitrogen, 3% phosphorus, and 3% potassium.
See these Old Farmer's fertilizer spikes on Amazon.
Pollination
In early spring, blooming silver maple trees can disperse their pollen via the wind. However, these trees frequently rely on bees and other pollinating insects.
The silver maple tree's blossoms can be a significant source of nectar for insect pollinators in the early part of the season. Male and female flowers can be found on some silver maple trees, but they are usually either one or the other.
It's interesting to note that when a new season starts, some silver maple trees can alter the sex of their blossoms.
Pruning
When the tree is dormant, late winter or early spring are the ideal seasons for pruning silver maple trees. Any damaged tree parts or exhibit disease during this time should be removed.
Pruning the silver maple is necessary to assist it in directing its growth energy into its strongest limbs. In particular, silver maples are susceptible to breaking when weak branches are left on the tree.
As soon as a maple starts to appear weedy, trim it. Silver maples should only have one trunk, so prune the extra trunks close to the main shoot.
Cut off any branches that are angled too sharply. Growth from these "Y" notches will fill the tree's center and obstruct light and air. To lessen the strain on branches with "U"-shaped joints, trim the ends of the branches.
Check out this YouTube video showing this pruning process below:
Pests & Diseases
Several pests and diseases can cause issues for silver maple trees. The most prevalent pests include scale insects, bagworms, and yellow-bellied sapsuckers.
In addition to crown gall, fungal diseases like anthracnose can affect silver maples. Silver maples are susceptible to chlorosis as well.
This problem is frequently the result of unfavorable soil circumstances, such as an excessively high pH. It is typically simple to spot when this disease arises since the leaves will turn yellow rather than green.
Harvesting
Although silver maple trees are frequently grown for ornamental purposes, you can also cultivate this tree to harvest its fruit.
Although silver maples don't yield edible fruit, their sap can still be used to make maple syrup, just like many other maple trees.
Sap will start to flow through the trunk and limbs of the tree in the late winter and early spring as it emerges from its dormant state.
You may now collect the sap from a silver maple tree and turn it into maple syrup by attaching a tap to the tree.
See this maple syrup tree-tapping kit on Amazon.
How Do You Propagate Silver Maple Trees?
Even if you might try to produce a silver maple from seed or by propagation, the volunteer approach is the simplest way to do so.
Every year, you'll discover at least a dozen samara scattered volunteer seedlings nearby.
Dig them up, put the seedlings in a big container for a healthy root system to form, and fill it with peat, sand, perlite, vermiculite, or any other quality soilless mix. Then, watch your volunteer silver maple grow.
Click here to see this potting mix on Amazon.
What Are Some Common Issues With Silver Maple Trees?
Here are some common problems that you may encounter while growing silver maple trees:
Shallow Roots
When you mow the lawn, a dense network of exposed roots may eventually form, harming the mower blades. The solution is to avoid growing silver maple as a lawn tree.
Instead, cultivate it in a woodland garden at the edge of your property.
Unwanted Seedlings
You might have to remove unwanted seedlings that your silver maple produces. Keep a step ahead of the issue. Do not wait until there are too many of these seedlings in your yard.
Pull them whenever you see them as soon as you can.
No Color Change
A variety of factors contribute to the change in leaf color. Generally speaking, sunlight, temperature, humidity, and vigor all impact leaf color.
If there is not enough sunlight, the color will deteriorate. The leaves will drop off if the temperature suddenly drops. Also, the color won't be bright enough to provide a good display without enough humidity.
Branches Look Short & Stunted
Typically, this results from inadequate root growth.
A graceful shape cannot be achieved because the plant does not receive enough nutrients to produce healthy new branches, which results in any new branches being short.
The roots of newly transplanted silver maple trees typically do not recover, but if the silver maple is well-cared-for, this situation can improve.
Why It's Important To Remove Silver Maple Leaves In The Fall
If exposed to excessively intense sunlight during the summer, the leaves in some areas may develop leaf burn and margin scorch. If precautions are not taken now, the fall foliage will have a very poor color and may even start to fall off early, ruining the ornamental effect.
August and September are the best times to remove some of a maple's severely scorched leaves. For less robust varieties of silver maple, such as Acer shirasawanum aureum, it is not advised to remove leaves.
To Finish Up
We hope this article gives you a handful of the things that will keep your silver maple trees healthy and significantly lengthen their lifespan. You are responsible for ensuring that the plant obtains the proper care and nutrition, especially if you benefit from them.
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