What Is the Average Height of Adult Maple Trees?

Maples (Acer species) are one of the quintessential trees throughout North America and common in the landscape. With their familiar appearance, bright autumn colors and ability to be either a tree of purpose or decoration, maples are increasingly popular, with new varieties being developed to suit the needs of homeowners.

Smaller Maples

Some Japanese maples are so small they're used as bonsai trees.

While in general maples tend to be large shade trees, several cultivars and varieties remain small, while some resemble medium-sized shrubs. Several Japanese maples, for example, take on a mounded shape and only reach 6 to 10 feet in height. Just like taller maples, smaller types vary in color, leaf shape and overall shape. Smaller maples are generally used as accent plants in the landscape.

North American Natives

Several maples are native to the United States and include several boxelders, big leaf maples, vine maples, red maples and others varieties. Being native to North America allows them to be widely planted in landscapes without the threat of them becoming invasive or damaging other native plants. The red maple, one of the more common North American maples, grows to 70 feet tall, like many other maple species. The striped maple, on the other hand, only grows to approximately 40 feet tall and is considered an understory tree.

Choosing Based on Height

Choosing the maple tree perfect for your landscape may come down to several factors about the tree along with the height. Take into consideration where the tree will be placed in your landscape when considering the height. Shade trees are generally over 50 feet tall and often more than 70 feet tall, so you'll need to consider placement of power lines, other trees in the area and how much shade the tree will cast on your home and gardens.

Other Considerations

The fall color can be a huge consideration when choosing your ideal maple.

When choosing a maple for your landscape, you'll also have a choice on many other factors as well. Maples vary in fall color from yellows to reds and everything in between; they also have different shapes and trunk styles. The red maple, for instance, has a bright, orange-to-red fall color and a pyramidal shape. The striped maple has striped bark and twigs that add interest even in winter. Other maples may have a multi-trunk system, oval or rounded crown or interesting foliage.