Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum · Sapindaceae (Soapberry family, traditionally grouped in Aceraceae)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Palmate lobed leaf featuring 5 distinct lobes with rounded sinuses
Margin
Serrate with coarsely toothed margins along the lobe tips
Arrangement
Opposite arrangement on the twig, featuring a long, slender petiole clearly visible in the image
Venation
Palmate venation with five primary veins radiating from the base of the leaf blade, accompanied by a prominent net-like reticulate system
Key Features
Distinguished by its 5-lobed leaves with U-shaped (rounded) sinuses, opposite branching, brown pointed winter buds, and clear sap rather than milky sap when the petiole is broken
Description
The Sugar Maple is a magnificent, large deciduous tree celebrated for its dense, rounded canopy, deeply furrowed grey bark, and breathtaking brilliance in autumn. Its leaves provide heavy summer shade before transitioning into vibrant spectacles of yellow, orange, and fiery red.
Habitat
Found primarily in rich, moist, well-drained upland deciduous forests, thriving in slightly acidic to neutral soils and moderate to full sun exposure
Native Range
Native to northeastern and north-central North America, extending from Nova Scotia west to Ontario and Minnesota, and south to Georgia and Texas