• The sap from sugar maples is used to make syrup.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Sugar maple trees, scientifically known as Acer saccharum, are found throughout much of the eastern part of the country. One of dozens of maple tree varieties, sugar maples are used as both ornamental trees and for the sap they produce to make syrup. They are particularly known for their colorful foliage in the fall.
  
  

Legacy

• The Legacy sugar maple tree is large and known as an excellent source for maple syrup, according to the Backyard Gardener. It has a dense and oval shape, and usually grows from 60 to 75 feet ball. Its leaves are green in the summer before turning red and orange in the fall in the cooler parts of the country. Its grayish/brown bark has deep furrows. It prefers moist soil that has good drainage, but is also tolerant of heat and drought. It does do well in areas with pollution or soil with salt. It is often used in parks and along streets for landscaping purposes, and is considered a good tree for shade. The Legacy maple has average water requirements.
  
  

Green Mountain

• Green Mountain sugar maple trees are fast growers that grow up to 60 feet tall and 35 feet wide. According to Washington State University, its leaves have a leathery feeling and are often defined as star-shaped. The leaves range from 3 to 6 inches across. It first blooms in April and has green leaves throughout the summer. It then has showy red, yellow, and orange autumn foliage in cooler areas. Green Mountain sugar maples are good choices for shade trees, and are commonly planted along streets in residential areas. They are known for doing well in dry growing areas, such as along sidewalks. Their fruit attracts birds and squirrels.
  
  

Goldspire

• The Goldspire sugar maple tree usually grows from 40 to 50 feet in height and up to 15 feet wide. It has dark green leaves in the spring and summer that are somewhat leathery to the touch. The leaves are 3 to 6 inches wide, and turn to golden yellow with an orange tint in the fall. This variety of sugar maple trees is tolerant of drought and heat. It is often used for landscaping purposes along street, highways and parking lots. According to the Kemper Center for Home Gardening, it does not have any major problems with insects or diseases. Goldspire has medium water requirements, and does well in areas with full sun and partial shade.