Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum · Sapindaceae (Soapberry family, commonly referred to as the Maple family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Palmate with 5 distinct lobes
Margin
Entire to sparsely and shallowly toothed along the lobe margins
Arrangement
Opposite
Venation
Palmate venation with five primary veins radiating from the base, featuring prominent midribs.
Key Features
Opposite leaf arrangement, palmately lobed leaves with 5 distinct lobes, U-shaped sinuses between the lobes, and smooth margins with few teeth.
Description
The Sugar Maple is a majestic deciduous tree renowned for its dense canopy, valuable hardwood timber, and brilliant fall foliage. Its leaves are deeply divided into five lobes with rounded sinuses, making it one of the most recognizable and beloved trees in North America.
Habitat
Typically found in rich, moist, well-drained deciduous forests, thriving in temperate climates with cold winters and moderate rainfall.
Native Range
Native to northeastern and north-central North America, extending from Nova Scotia west to Ontario, and south to Georgia and Texas.