Omaha tree guide
Silver maple
Acer saccharinum
Nebraska Forest Service says silver maple was heavily planted in urban areas and is suitable throughout Nebraska, although new planting is now rare.
What this page can tell you
How to recognize this kind of tree
This profile is the species Acer saccharinum, not another maple or a named cultivar.
These species-level facts cannot diagnose the condition of one particular tree, prove that work is needed, or determine whether it is hazardous.
What to look for
- Leaves are opposite and deeply lobed, with a silvery underside; paired winged seeds may be present.
- Nebraska Forest Service lists a typical mature height and spread of 60–90 feet.
What changes by season
Use whatever features are available now. Missing leaves, flowers, fruit, or pods often just means the timing is wrong—not that the tree cannot be a match.
When leaves are on
Compare opposite leaves or buds paired at the same point, one leaf blade per stem, and deeply lobed leaves. Use more than one feature and do not force a match from leaf shape alone.
When leaves are off or hard to see
Compare gray furrows or ridges, a broad spreading tree, and a rounded tree. Bark and overall shape can help narrow it down, but neither confirms the species by itself.
When fruit or seeds are present
paired winged seeds can provide another useful clue. Not seeing them may simply reflect season, age, sex, or variety.
Typical mature size
Nebraska Forest Service lists a typical mature height and spread of 60–90 feet.
Similar Omaha trees
These are the closest lookalikes among the 10 common local trees in this guide. Other species can still look similar.
Northern red oak
Quercus rubra
These trees can look similar in whether the leaf is simple or compound, bark, and overall tree shape. Check how the leaves or buds attach, leaf shape, and fruit or seeds next instead of relying on the name or one photograph.
View that tree profileAmerican elm (species only)
Ulmus americana
These trees can look similar in whether the leaf is simple or compound, bark, and mature size. Check how the leaves or buds attach, leaf shape, and fruit or seeds next instead of relying on the name or one photograph.
View that tree profileImportant Omaha-area context
Nebraska Forest Service describes silver maple as weak-wooded and susceptible to storm damage.
This does not prove that a particular tree is infested, diseased, structurally unsound, or in need of removal.
What to consider for an individual tree
Look for actual broken, hanging, cracked, or recently changed branches after storms. Those observable conditions and nearby targets—not the species name—determine whether to use the Hazard screening.
Individual branch unions, damage, and site conditions must be evaluated before deciding whether pruning is appropriate.
Sources
- Nebraska Forest Service: Silver MapleNebraska
- University of Minnesota Extension: Replacements for ash trees in yards and boulevardsUpper Midwest
- Nebraska Forest Service: Pruning TreesNebraska
- Nebraska Forest Service: Oak, Northern RedEastern Nebraska
- University of Minnesota Extension: Oak buds and green acorns can harm horses — Identifying oaksUpper Midwest · 2021
- Nebraska Forest Service: Elm, AmericanNebraska
- University of Minnesota Extension: Dutch elm disease-resistant elm treesUpper Midwest · 2026