Acer saccharum 'Temple's Upright'
Common name: 
Temple's Upright Sugar Maple
Pronunciation: 
A-ser sak-KAR-um
Family: 
Sapindaceae, Aceraceae
Genus: 
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • This tree may grow to 50-60 ft (15-20 m) tall.  It has a strong central leader but its major and minor lateral branches are also ascending, but gradually i.e., it a has a fastigiate habit when mature (a broom-like appearance). The short, stubby lateral branches seen in 'Newton Sentry' are absent in this selection (except when young).  Fall color from orange-yellow to red.
  • Both 'Newton Sentry' and 'Temple's Upright' were introduced by F. L. Temple of Cambridge, Massachusetts; 'Newton Sentry' (as Columnare) in about 1885 and 'Temple's Upright' (as Monumentale) two years later.  Unfortunately, the names of the two trees quickly became confused in the horticultural literature.
         In 1983 Michael Dathe published an article entitled, "Acer saccharum 'Newton Sentry': setting the record straight", (Arnoldia 43(3):29-31) (see: http://arnoldia.arboretum.harvard.edu/pdf/articles/1150.pdf).   This included a history of the name confusion as well as the key identifying features of the two trees at maturity, namely:
      'Newton Sentry'
    • lack of a single central trunk above six feet from the ground
    • major and minor branches vertical
    • short, stubby lateral branchlets on secondary branches
      'Temple's Upright'
    • strong central leader well into the crown
    • major and minor branches gradually ascending
    • absence of short, stubby lateral branchlets
  • Silverton, Oregon: The Oregon Garden - Conifer Garden
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit and leaves, summer

    plant habit and leaves, summer

  • plant habit and leaves, fall

    plant habit and leaves, fall