Experts can’t quite agree on the exact number of maple species out there, but we know there are well over 100! These beauties are native to all three continents in the Northern Hemisphere, and that wide range of climates plays a huge role in how they handle the cold. While every maple is perfectly adapted to its original home, moving to a new climate can sometimes be a bit of a challenge.
Native Species Are Winter Hardy
When it comes to the maples native to our neck of the woods, the answer to “Are they hardy?” is a resounding yes. They’ve evolved to survive our freezing winters for centuries, so even a deep freeze isn’t a problem for them. Here’s a quick look at just how much cold these common varieties can take:
- Sycamore Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus): down to -30°F
- Hedge Maple (Acer campestre): down to -20°F
- Norway Maple (Acer platanoides): down to -30°F
Pro Tip:
Not sure which maple is currently growing in your backyard? You can find plenty of info online or in gardening guides to help you identify different maple species based on their leaves and bark.
North American Favorites
Our homegrown North American species are no strangers to frosty mornings. Because they’ve adapted to our local winters, they bring some seriously impressive cold tolerance to your landscape.
- Boxelder (Acer negundo): -20°F
- Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum): -20°F
- Striped Maple (Acer pensylvanicum): -20°F
- Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum): -30°F
Young Trees Need a Little Extra Love
If you’re propagating a hardy species or just brought a sapling home from the nursery, don’t expect it to be a winter warrior right away. Every tree is a bit sensitive during its first few years. After planting, it takes time for a maple to build up its full winter hardiness. Until it’s established, you’ll definitely want to provide some winter protection to keep it safe.
Pro Tip:
Give your maple a boost in the fall with a potassium-rich fertilizer. Potassium strengthens cell walls and actually lowers the freezing point of the water inside the cells—kind of like a natural antifreeze!
Asian Varieties Might Need Shelter
While the Amur Maple (Acer tataricum ssp. ginnala) is quite hardy, other Asian varieties can be a bit more finicky. For example, the Fullmoon Maple (Acer japonicum) usually hits its limit around 15°F. The Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum), a favorite for growing in pots, is technically hardy in the ground, but its roots are much more vulnerable in a container. If yours is in a pot, make sure you know how to overwinter it properly to keep it happy until spring.
