Acer saccharum subsp. skutchii (Cloud Forest Sugar Maple, Mexican Sugar Maple)


Botanical Information

FamilySapindaceae (Aceraceae)
GenusAcer
Speciessaccharum
Subspeciesskutchii
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (deciduous)
OriginGuatemala and Mexico (Chiapas, Coahuila, Jalisco and Tamaulipas).
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
Used as a source of sugar for the locals and its wood is used in construction.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone8b - 9a
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)44 - 17
Temperature (°F)122
Height12 - 15 m
Spread20 - 30 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodMarch, April

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionThe tree was described in Guatemala in 1936 a relic from the Miocene era. It is the southern most sugar maple species. It is one of the more rare Sugar maples in the Sapindaceae.
PropagationHas only 20% rooting or survival rate from cuttings.
CultivationDrought tolerant, grows well without irrigation and can grow in acidic or alkane soils. Thrives in limestone based soils. Adapts well to sunny locations.
PestsRoot rot. Animals rub off the bark which exposes the phloem to rotting.
HabitatGrows in the Mexican and Guatemala Cloud forest.
Bark/Stem DescriptionWhen young it has smooth grey bark, as it ages the bark starts to grow malty layered crevasses in the bark and the colour changes from grey to brown.
Flower DescriptionThe samara is the largest of any other Sugar Maple with a length of 4.5 cm.
Colour DescriptionFoliage is bronze or a light purple/dark pink and then turns a darker green. In the autumn months it turns yellow, orange and red.
Texture DescriptionMedium.

Photographs