• Beautiful fall foliage, interesting bark and longevity make maples a good shade tree choice.Maple-leaf image by HannaSigel from Fotolia.com
  
  

Planting Instructions

• Maples are long-lived trees that grow to be 70 to 100 feet high. Plant them at least 35 feet apart, according to Cornell University.
  
  

Tree Variations

• Large maples certainly need that much space, but smaller ornamental varieties, such as Japanese maple require much less space--as little as 15 feet between trees.
  
  

Bottom Line

• Maples need full sun so don't crowd them. Crowded trees compete for water, sun and nutrients. Consult a growing guide for individual maple tree varieties and choose a tree suitable for your climate and available space.