There are a lot of types of maple trees and they all have different lifespans according to type. Generally most are considered to have a lifespan from 100 to 200 years, although some can live for thousands of years (like the bristlecone pine).
Maple Tree Life Expectancy
Trees can be affected by atmospheric changes and many factors can influence their survival.
Fortunately, those that do live and thrive may live for hundred to thousands of years.
We will look below at some of the most common types of maple trees, and research has found their life expectancy.
Red Maple
In my opinion, red maple trees are also one of the most common of all the maples in the world.
Red maple trees have beautiful foliage that changes color, are very sensitive to their environments and changing weather, and are often subjected to deforestation or uprooting from things like storms.
In fact, it is said that red maple trees have a low average of about less than 100 years, but these trees have a lot of potential if grown in good conditions. In fact, red maples have a life expectancy of over 100 years and can live more than 300 years!
Silver Maple
Like red maple trees, silver maple trees are sensitive to their environment.
When they are in the wild, they have diverse microbiomes, full of different beneficial insects, bacteria, fungus, and more.
But once they are domesticated and planted in urban areas, these trees suffer.
In the Wild: They average 125 years or more. In urban settings, many of these beautiful trees only live to about 65 years.
Sugar Maple
Sugar maples are among the longest living type of maples, they’re cold hardier and also typically less sensitive to environmental changes.
The one thing preventing sugar maples from living long and healthy lives is predation, as sugar maples will exude sweet sap from their trunk and attract insects.
Where Do Maple Trees Live?
Maple trees grow better when the weather is cool and mild.
They usually exist throughout much of the United States, parts of Europe, some of Asia, and northern Africa.
Maple trees are popular because of their attractive colors, and because they produce wood and syrup.
The maple tree family contains over 120 species with a range of preferences for weather, soil, and tolerance to plant diseases.
Can I Save My Dying Maple?
If you’ve got a maple planted and see it’s failing, if you act quickly, you can possibly take maneuver to assist the maple.
In the cases of maple tree issues, more often than not, it is the roots that are unhealthy.
You should always keep your eyes peeled and stay on the lookout for signs of fungal or bacteria.
If you suspect your maple is not well, keep an eye out for a few signs:
- The bark is cracked or falling apart
- Signs of decay (inside and out)
- Branch health (dead limbs, dying leaves)
- Unusual leaf discolouration on your maple tree in the fall.
If you see any signs, you should seek help from a professional.
Steps to Save your Dying Maple Tree
The moment that you realize any of the signs and symptoms, there are some things that you should do to prevent further damage and give your tree a chance to survive.
Step #1 – Identify the Problem
The first part’s the easiest. You must identify the problem that you can correct, though.
Some of the main problems with maple trees are:
- Not enough water
- Too much water
- Too much fertilizer
- Tree diseases
Some are easier than others, so make sure you look for signs and diagnose accordingly.
Step #2 – Change the Way you Water
So, some people who own a maple tree that don’t have a lot of experience will water their trees too much.
Maple trees are at the largest risk for being overwatered when they are younger, so this is something to be cautious about when you are starting out.
Just remember to take your soil, climate in your area, and how big your tree is into account when deciding how much to water.
Then, make sure to stick to a watering schedule so your tree gets adequate water to grow healthy and strong and live a long life!
Step #3 – Keep Tabs on Fertilizer
You can’t use any fertilizer on any tree or plant. You need one made for your maple tree specifically. If you aren’t sure and start to see us signs of an unhealthy tree then you might have to bring in an agriculturist.
The fertilizer you use may be robbing your tree of nutrients that it needs, or adding too much. What you will start to notice are signs like:
- dying leaves
- drooping branches
- and maybe some weird growth on your tree.
Step #4 – Start Snipping
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with trimming away any dead or hanging branches on your maple tree.
This is a great way to keep your tree healthy and thriving.
You will want to make sure you are only trimming unhealthy branches, while leaving the healthy branches alone.
You should also check around your maple tree to make sure there is no other growth coming from the ground.
Even the smallest root-growing weeds can take from your tree, so you want to remove them before they can!
Step #5 – Mulching (Don’t Overdo It)
Putting mulch around the base of your tree is a great way to add moisture and nutrients to your tree.
We advise adding some mulch and ensuring you are not going above and beyond.
Try to get on a regular rotation of mixing some mulch, even if it is a small amount, and putting it in the soil at the base of the tree and farther out.
Step #6 – Control Pests and Diseases
Maple trees can be infested with a myriad of insects.
There are also the naturally present bacteria, fungi, and viruses that are present in all soils.
With all this pest and pathogen presence you’ll need to be proactive in addressing this pest presence, all while managing the risk of disease.
It may be tempting to grab a pesticide that claims it does it all, but you also dont want to wipe out all the good microbes in your tree.
Good practice is to do something, watch for damage in your tree, and limit application or pesticide product additions to mitigate your chances for problems in your tree related to the chemical cocktail.
Final Thoughts
Maple trees are beautiful trees. They can be grown in many different conditions and climates.
Depending on what kind of maple tree you plant, you could be lucky enough to have that tree for hundreds if not a thousands years!
Like any tree, you should be mindful of the maple tree’s health, deficiencies, and malformations.
It’s best to “catch” these difficulties early so that you have options to help the tree’s health and be around for its entire life span.
They bring some ornamental benefits of red, yellow, orange, and gold leaves with a big bunch of stems and leaves, but there is some care that needs to be provided in order to keep the tree healthy!.