Growth Per Year. The sugar maple tree (Acer saccharum) is considered to possess a slow to medium growth rate. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, slow growth designates a tree that grows less than 12 inches per year, while medium denotes growth of between 13 and 24 inches annually. This ornamental tree achieves its best rate of growth per year in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 3 through 8. It eventually stretches to a height of between 60 and 75 feet with a canopy width of 45 to 50 feet and grows best in full sunshine. The sugar maple prefers moist soil.