Chalk Maple. Chalk, or Chalkbark, maple (Acer leucoderme) is another variation of the sugar maple that is grown in the South (USDA zones 5 through 8). It is a smaller tree, reaching 25 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 30 feet wide, making it a good choice for patios and decks.outhern sugar maple (Acer barbatum) is often used as a substitute for sugar maple (Acer saccharum) in the South. This heat-tolerant, deciduous tree grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant zones 7 through 9.