Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum · Sapindaceae (Soapberry and Maple family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Palmate with 5 lobes and U-shaped sinuses
Margin
Entire to sparsely toothed along the lobes with sharp tips
Arrangement
Opposite arrangement on the twig
Venation
Palmate venation with five primary veins radiating from the base, featuring prominent reticulate cross-veining
Key Features
Opposite leaf arrangement, 5-lobed leaves with distinctive U-shaped (rounded) sinuses between the lobes, smooth margins with few teeth, and the production of clear sap rather than milky sap
Description
A classic medium to large deciduous tree known for its dense, rounded canopy, deeply furrowed dark grey bark, and brilliant autumn foliage ranging from bright yellow to vibrant orange and red. The leaves are the quintessential symbol of the North American maple, featuring deeply cut lobes and a smooth texture that makes them instantly recognizable.
Habitat
Found primarily in rich, moist, well-drained upland soils of deciduous forests, thriving in partial to full sun
Native Range
Native to eastern North America, spanning from Nova Scotia and Quebec west to Ontario and Minnesota, and south to Georgia and Texas