Sugar maple

* Common name: Sugar maple

* Botanical name: Acer saccharum

* What it is: A deciduous shade tree that has some of autumn’s most striking orange/red foliage. ‘Fall Fiesta’ is a recent variety with especially vibrant fall color.

* Size: 50 to 75 feet tall, 40 to 50 feet wide

* Where to use: Specimens in large, open fields and large yards. Full sun. Avoid wet clay.

* Care: Water deeply once a week in lieu of rain in the first two years to establish, then deeply every week or two only in a bad drought. Fertilizer not needed. Remove lower limbs as the tree grows and stay well clear of overhead lines.

* Great partner: Once canopy provides shade, underplant with groundcover of pachysandra, liriope, hosta or barrenwort.