Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum · Sapindaceae (Soapberry and Maple family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Palmately lobed with 5 main lobes, each featuring distinct pointed tips
Margin
Serrate (coarsely toothed) with deep, rounded sinuses between the lobes
Arrangement
Opposite arrangement on the twig with long, slender petioles
Venation
Palmate venation with five primary veins radiating from the base, featuring a prominent midrib on each lobe
Key Features
5-lobed leaves with entire or sparsely toothed margins, U-shaped sinuses between lobes, opposite branching, and smooth brown twigs with sharp, pointed brown buds
Description
The Sugar Maple is a magnificent, large deciduous tree known for its dense canopy, hard wood, and brilliant fall foliage. Its leaves are classic symbols of the northern autumn, transitioning from lush green to breathtaking shades of yellow, burnt orange, and red before dropping.
Habitat
Rich, moist, well-drained upland deciduous forests, thriving in slightly acidic to neutral soils
Native Range
Native to hardwood forests of eastern North America, ranging from Nova Scotia west to Ontario and Minnesota, and south to Georgia
Notes
Northern Minnesota