Sugar Maple (Rock Maple, Hard Maple)
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Sapindales, Family: Sapindaceae, Genus: Acer, Species: A. saccharum · Sapindaceae (Soapberry and Maple family) · Simple, deciduous
Species
Acer saccharum
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Family
Sapindaceae (Soapberry and Maple family)
Shape
Palmately lobed with typically 5 primary lobes featuring shallow, rounded sinuses
Size
Approximately 3 to 5 inches across, falling well within the typical range for mature sugar maple leaves
Margin
Entire to sparsely toothed along the margin of the lobes
Arrangement
Opposite
Rarity
Very Common
Color & Pattern
Shows transitional autumn coloration with dark brown to purplish margins and a greenish-brown center, indicative of senescent color change
Venation Pattern
Palmate venation with five primary veins radiating from the base
Texture & Surface
Smooth adaxial surface with a slightly papery texture characteristic of a drying deciduous leaf
Description
A classic medium to large deciduous tree known for its dense canopy, valuable dense wood, and brilliant fall foliage ranging from yellow to bright orange and red
Key Features
Opposite leaf arrangement, 5-lobed leaves with smooth sinuses, and dark gray furrowed bark on mature specimens
Habitat
Rich, well-drained loamy soils in cool, moist deciduous forests, often found alongside beech and birch trees
Geographic Range
Northeastern and Midwestern North America, extending north into Canada and south into the uplands of the American South
Condition Notes
Fair to Good, showing natural seasonal drying and senescence with some minor edge wear and marginal necrosis
Interesting Facts
The primary source of commercial maple syrup, requiring roughly 40 gallons of sap to produce a single gallon of syrup
Medicinal & Uses
Sap is boiled down for syrup and sugar; wood is heavily used for high-end furniture, flooring, and bowling alley lanes due to its extreme hardness
Ecological Role
Provides critical shade, shelter, and autumn food sources for various forest wildlife species and contributes heavily to forest soil health through nutrient-rich leaf litter
Similar Species
Norway Maple (Acer platanoides), which can be distinguished by milky white sap exuded from a broken petiole
Foraging Tips
Look for opposite branching patterns and fallen star-shaped leaves beneath tall canopy trees in late autumn
Toxicity Warning
Non-toxic