A MUCH MUCH neglected yet fantastic tree. Basically a smaller, much tougher Sugar Maple that colors well far to the south. Can also grow faster too. Then you see things like is happening with your tree, and all I can do is SMH (Shake My Head). Arktrees

In Florida, the only "sugar maple" that would grow well for any length of time is the Southern Sugar Maple, Acer floridanum (AKA Acer barbatum AKA Acer saccharum var floridanum). While it technically can be tapped, it's a function of climate rather than species - most North American maples *can* be tapped, if the weather is right. If I planted a Southern Sugar Maple here in MD - I could probably get some sap flow from it in January and early February, which is when the few people tapping maples in my area would do it. A "regular" sugar maple would do the same thing here as would red or silver maple. It takes freezing nights and above freezing days to make the sap flow. I doubt you could get much, if any, sap to flow in Florida unless you had a record-setting cold winter.

Acer, We have two Chalk Maples out in FULL BLAZING SUN in crappy soil, with LOTS of weeds/wildflowers around competing. Even with those less than ideal conditions they are growing 1-2' per year. I do give them a little water in the hottest driest weather, but that is because of the amount of competition. IN good soil, I would expect a fairly consistent 2'+/year IMHO. Both of our Chalk Maple weathered -6F on two occasions, and probable 4-5 other sub-zero nights, with LOTS of wind in between. NO ISSUES AT ALL with either of them. One tree came from Pine Ridge Garden Nursery here in Arkansas (I don't know the seed source but I assume Arkansas), and the other came from Mail Order Natives in Lee Florida (same as John's). FTR, I also get very good growth out of Acer griseum and Acer triflorum. Much better than is stated in the literature. Both are also in full sun. I'm left to assume it's due to my climate being similar to their native lands. IMHO, you would seem to have a site near ideal for all of the above species, and likely to be rewarded with surprising vigor. Barring just getting "one of those trees" of course. But then I'm a sucker for all of the above. One suggestion to consider. If you do go the Chalk route, you might consider planting two trees very near to one another. Being seed grown, they will vary in fall color, and it can be a nice effect to have two trees with varying color growing together. Have seen this with wild Sugar Maple many times and it can be stunning. Arktrees

Ours are perfectly happy in full blistering sun with lots of competition. Growth rate has been up to 2.5'/year some years. Other years 1'/year. Have not had them long enough to but more specific on growth than that. I would expect you to have no problems outside of maybe watering when very dry. Arktrees