Lower Risk

Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple )

Sugar Maple is a deciduous tree native to the northern USA and Canada. It grows to 20m and has broad, lobed leaves that turn bright yellow to red-orange during autumn. Despite being in ornamental trade in Australia since 1893, there is no evidence Sugar Maple has naturalised. There is also no evidence the species has naturalised, or become invasive, elsewhere. However, it is important to note that the dried leaves are toxic to horses. Reproduction is exclusively via wind-dispersed seed, which is produced when the tree is at least 11 years of age. A closely related species, Acer negundo, is a declared plant in the ACT and SA, and is also a weed of concern in VIC.