Plant Names
Acer nigrum
Black Maple
Érable noir
Plant Characteristics
Bloom Colour: Green
Bloom Period: Apr - Apr
Max Height: 95.0 feet
Max Width: 60.0 feet
Light Condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
No landscape information available.
Ecological Benefits:
Keystone species
Tolerates:
Tolerates drought conditions
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:
This plant is a GRASP candidate
Seed and plant distribution status
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Fun Facts
Black maple is a native deciduous tree closely related to sugar maple, growing in rich forests, floodplains, and moist woodland areas. It has a dense, rounded crown, dark grey bark, and large leaves that often have a drooping appearance. Like sugar maple, it produces brilliant fall colour and provides valuable habitat in mature forests.
Provides food and shelter for many wildlife species. The seeds (samaras) are eaten by squirrels, chipmunks, mice, and some birds. The foliage supports many native caterpillars, including species of moths and butterflies, which are an important food source for nesting birds. Mature trees provide nesting sites, cover, and shade for woodland wildlife.
Excellent choice for large properties, woodland gardens, and restoration projects.
Plant only where you have room for a large tree — it is not suitable for small urban gardens.
Young trees benefit from regular watering until established.
Avoid heavy pruning; allow its natural shape to develop.
Similar in appearance to sugar maple and can be difficult to distinguish.
Provides food and shelter for many wildlife species. The seeds (samaras) are eaten by squirrels, chipmunks, mice, and some birds. The foliage supports many native caterpillars, including species of moths and butterflies, which are an important food source for nesting birds. Mature trees provide nesting sites, cover, and shade for woodland wildlife.
Excellent choice for large properties, woodland gardens, and restoration projects.
Plant only where you have room for a large tree — it is not suitable for small urban gardens.
Young trees benefit from regular watering until established.
Avoid heavy pruning; allow its natural shape to develop.
Similar in appearance to sugar maple and can be difficult to distinguish.
Plant Location
Distribution according to VASCAN
Ephemeral
Native
Introduced
Excluded
Extirpated
Doubtful
Absent
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Acer nigrum
-
Eacles imperialis
Imperial - Papillon Impérial
Specialized Bees Supported by Acer nigrum
No bee data available for this plant.
Complementary Plants
- Ageratina altissima
White Snakeroot
Eupatoire rugueuse - Anemone virginiana
Tall Anemone
Anémone de Virginie - Asarum canadense
Canada Wild Ginger
Asaret du Canada - Asclepias exaltata
Poke Milkweed
Asclépiade très grande - Asclepias incarnata
Swamp Milkweed
Asclépiade incarnate - Coreopsis lanceolata
Lance-leaved Coreopsis
Coréopsis lancéolé - Diervilla lonicera
Northern Bush-honeysuckle
Dièreville chèvrefeuille - Elymus hystrix
Bottlebrush Grass
Élyme étalé - Eurybia divaricata
White Wood Aster
Aster à rameaux étalés - Eurybia macrophylla
Large-leaved Aster
Aster à grandes feuilles - Geranium maculatum
Spotted Geranium
Géranium maculé - Helianthus divaricatus
Woodland Sunflower
Hélianthe à feuilles étalées - Hydrophyllum virginianum
Virginia Waterleaf
Hydrophylle de Virginie - Maianthemum racemosum
Large False-solomon's Seal
Smilacine à grappes - Phlox divaricata
Wild Blue Phlox
Phlox divariqué - Rubus odoratus
Purple-flowering Raspberry
Ronce odorante - Rudbeckia hirta
Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckie hérissée - Sambucus racemosa
Red Elderberry
Sureau à grappes - Sanguinaria canadensis
Bloodroot
Sanguinaire du Canada - Solidago bicolor
White Goldenrod
Verge d'or bicolore - Solidago caesia
Blue-stemmed Goldenrod
Verge d'or bleuâtre - Solidago flexicaulis
Zigzag Goldenrod
Verge d'or à tige zigzagante - Symphyotrichum cordifolium
Heart-leaved Aster
Aster à feuilles cordées - Viburnum acerifolium
Maple-leaved Viburnum
Viorne à feuilles d'érable - Viola sororia
Woolly Blue Violet
Violette parente
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Acer japonicum (Japanese Maple)
- Acer platanoides (Norway Maple)
Sowing Information
Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
- Sowing depth: 3/8 inch
- Sow by January
- Stratification conditions: Soak for 24h
- Stratification duration: 90 days
- Self-seeding
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: June
- Harvesting indicator:
- Pods are released from plant
- Harvesting:
- Nut has been released from tree
- Seed viability test:
- None
- Packaging measure: Six (6) seeds (eyeball)
- Seed storage:
- Air Dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
- Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
- Remove non-seed material
- No harvesting video available at this time.
GRASP Candidate
Rare/endangered native plants within 50km radius of Ottawa approximately. Burton is anchor study, plus iNaturalist observations to corroborate if any recent spotting.
Canadensis