Which tree is the principal commercial source of maple syrup?

The sugar maple is the principal commercial source of maple syrup.

Its scientific name is Acer saccharum, and it is native to hardwood forests of eastern North America. In late winter and early spring, alternating freezing nights and thawing days create pressure changes that move sap through the tree. Producers collect the sap through taps and boil it to concentrate its sugars into syrup.

Sugar maple sap is valued because it generally contains more sugar than sap from many other maple species, so less water must be evaporated. Red maple and black maple can also contribute to syrup production, but sugar maple remains the classic and most important source.

The tree is also prized for its brilliant autumn colors and dense, hard wood. Its leaf appears on the Canadian flag, although the flag’s stylized maple leaf is not intended to identify only one maple species.