Acer saccharum 'Legacy'

Legacy Sugar Maple

Acer saccharum 'Legacy', or the Legacy Sugar Maple, is a popular cultivar known for its strong, symmetrical oval shape, glossy dark green leaves that resist tearing, and spectacular fall color of gold, orange, and red, making it a premier shade tree that tolerates heat, drought, and pollution better than standard sugar maples. It's a durable, low-maintenance landscape tree, valued for creating powerful focal points in parks, yards, and along driveways, offering deep shade and vibrant autumn interest.  
     

Key Characteristics 

Shape: Dense, upright oval, providing a formal look.
Foliage: Deep, glossy green in summer; turns brilliant gold, orange, and red in fall.
Size:
 Reaches 40-50 feet tall and 25-35 feet wide
.


Performance: Fast-growing, heat-tolerant, drought-resistant, and pollution-tolerant.


Uses: Excellent shade tree, specimen, property line marker, or for lining driveways.  



Growing Conditions



Sun: Full sun to part shade.
Soil: Prefers rich, moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil, but is adaptable.
Hardiness: Hardy in USDA Zones 4-8. 



Benefits



Provides excellent shade and strong seasonal color.
Its tough leaves resist common issues like leaf tatter and scorch.
Offers habitat and food for wildlife.
Can be tapped for maple syrup, though it's less traditional than other varieties. 

Plant type

Shade Tree, Street Tree

Height

40-50'

Width

25-35'

Hardiness zones

4–7

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Spring

Leaf color

Dark Green

Fall color

Orange Red, Sunglow

Soil

Acidic, Clay, Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Provide Shade

Shape

Oval

Bark

Fissured

Fruit

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

Yes