K-State School of Horticulture recently published a newsletter with recommendations for 'Caddo' species sugar maples, or Acer Saccharum 'Caddo'. Two stand out cultivars are 'Autumn Splendor' and 'John Pair'. The Caddo species is native to Oklahoma and therefore is ideal for blistering heat, wind, inconsistent moisture, and produces outstanding fall color. These maples would then give the desirable traits people look for in a sugar maple and provide an early pollen source for honey bees. 'Caddo' species are native to Oklahoma and so they are perfect for those of us in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. However, they do not do well in heavy clay soil or wet spots.
