{"product_id":"acer-saccharum-sugar-maple-3-gal","title":"Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple) - 3 gal","description":"\u003cp\u003eSugar Maple is a beautiful, robust native shade tree with a dense, rounded crown. It is a keystone species in the Northeastern and Midwestern US and Canada, and is responsible for some of the most dazzling and breathtaking fall color. It graces many lawns and parks with its excellent shade and well-behaved growth habit. It is a wonderful tree for home gardens if there is ample space to stretch out. It has a relatively shallow root system, so underplanting can be difficult. It is also highly intolerant of road salt, so take this into consideration when siting the plant near roads or sidewalks.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSugar Maples have a very high ecological value. They are host to at least 238 species of Lepidoptera, providing insectivorous birds a multitude of caterpillars during nesting season to feed their young. Flowering occurs in early spring, and cross-pollination is performed by the wind. The familiar “helicopter” seeds, actually called samaras, are formed in pairs in late spring to early summer. Once they ripen, they come twirling down, dispersed far and wide by the wind. Some songbirds and upland gamebirds will eat the seeds. The trees provide much-needed protective cover, nesting cavities, food, and sap to numerous wild creatures.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSources:\u003cbr\u003eNative Trees, Shrubs, \u0026amp; Vines by William Cullina\u003cbr\u003eManual of Woody Landscape Plants by Michael A. Dirr\u003cbr\u003eMissouri Botanical Garden\u003cbr\u003eLady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center\u003cbr\u003eIllinois Wildflowers\u003cbr\u003eThe Morton Arboretum-Black Walnut Tolerance\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Scioto Gardens Native Plant Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48078435451121,"sku":"AceSac3","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0787\/7092\/9905\/files\/082e97e6-2254-43a0-8fe9-03e3ce590516.jpg?v=1776970829","url":"https:\/\/scioto-gardens-native-plant-nursery.myshopify.com\/products\/acer-saccharum-sugar-maple-3-gal","provider":"Scioto Gardens Native Plant Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}