Wood: The wood is moderately important. The wood is softer than that of the sugar (or "hard") maple and it is often referred to as "soft maple." It is medium-lightweight but brittle, and is used for boxes, crates, veneer, inexpensive furniture and many other uses. Although the sugar grade of the sap is superior to that of the sugar maple, the yield is not abundant and therefore not commercially viable.
Wildlife: The silver maple is a useful forest
tree to many wildlife species. Squirrels, rodents and birds (particularly
pine and evening grosbeaks) eat the seeds; deer eat the young twigs and
foliage; and hollow trunks serve as dens for raccoons and squirrels.
Horticulture: Due to its fast growth, handsome form and adaptability, this tree has been a favorite shade tree for planting in Iowa. The fast growth comes with a liability: limbs are easily broken by heavy, wet spring snows, leading to wood decay. The silver maple is best planted only in difficult sites where other native trees cannot survive as other native maples have superior fall color and sturdiness qualities. 'Silver Queen,' is an upright, seedless, form with yellow fall-foliage. 'Laciniatum' has deeply divided leaves.
