Acer saccharinum

Habitat: Well-drained floodplain forests, riverbanks, large-river backswamps, and sand, gravel, and rocky bar woodlands; also frequently cultivated and escaped into weedy upland and alluvial habitats. Locally common in the mountains and the northern Piedmont and inner part of the northern Coastal Plain from the James River north; infrequent elsewhere.

Wildlife Value: Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed. Early spring source of nectar for bees. Seeds are eaten by squirrels, chipmunks and birds. Buds are eaten by squirrels after the seeds have sprouted.

Edibility: Sap can be used to make syrup

Notes: The wood is weak and breaks easily in storms and with snow loads.