The Silver Maple is native to eastern Canadian forests although it grows in western Ontario right up to the Manitoba border where it grows on rich moist bottom lands along the banks of streams and the shores of lakes.
The tree generally has a short trunk which divides near the ground into a number of limbs which divide again to give rise to a broad crown that is rounded at the top. The main branches ascend sharply and eventually arch outwards before turning upwards at the end. The root system is usually quite shallow making the tree only moderately wind firm. The fibrous nature of the roots makes them willing invaders of water lines and septic fields
Although the Silver Maple is quite adaptable to various soil conditions, it's light requirements are higher than than most other maples, and therefore it prefers a wide open southern exposure. It is highly tolerant of urban conditions and is frequently planted as a boulevard tree.
