Chalk Maple
Acer saccharum subsp. Leucoderme
General Information
Chalk Maple is an easy-to-grow, multi-trunked small to medium-sized deciduous tree. It is generally and understory tree and the South’s smaller version of a sugar maple tree. It has an oval to rounded crown.
Chalk Maple is generally found on rocky slopes and bluffs, particularly limestone, and in ravines. It prefers moist, well-drained soil.
Chalk Maple flowers between March and May.
Chalk Maple’s name comes from the smooth, chalky-white or light-gray bark on mature trees. It can be used as a shade trees and has been used for bonsai. As it is a subspecies of sugar maple, the trees can also be tapped to make maple syrup. The tree has excellent fall foliage.
Plant Information
Plant Type:
Deciduous tree
Sun Preference:
Full Sun * Part Sun * Shade
Soil Moisture Preference:
Dry * Medium-Dry * Medium
Plant Height:
25 to 30 feet
Plant Width:
15 to 25 feet
Plant Spacing:
N/A
Flower Color:
Yellow-green
Flower timing:
March and April
Culture Information:
Chalk Maple makes an excellent specimen tree. It works best by itself in lawns; in naturalized areas; along ponds; on slopes/banks, in woodlands; and in drought tolerant gardens, native gardens, nighttime gardens, pollinator gardens, and shade gardens.
When first planted, Chalk Maple should be watered weekly for first few months, unless at least an inch of rain has been received in the last week to help it get established. After it becomes established, Chalk Maple does not typically need watering.
Chalk Maple does not require much pruning.
Tolerates:
Drought
Heat
Insect Pests
Shade
Pests & Disease:
Chalk Maple typically has no serious insect problems.
Chalk Maple also doesn’t usually have serious disease problems.
Wildlife Use:
Pollinators: Chalk Maple is an early spring source of nectar for bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. Maples are a host plant for Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season.
Birds: The seeds are eaten by birds.
Mammals: The seeds are eaten by small mammals.
Other: N/A.
Native to:
East Tennessee including Hamilton and Polk Counties
More Information:
NC State Plant Database:
Missouri Botanical Garden:
TN-KY Plant Atlas
Other Link: