Sugar Maple (also known as Rock Maple, Hard Maple)
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Sapindales, Family: Sapindaceae, Genus: Acer, Species: Acer saccharum · Sapindaceae (Soapberry and Maple family) · Simple, deciduous
Species
Acer saccharum
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Family
Sapindaceae (Soapberry and Maple family)
Shape
Palmate lobed, typically with 5 lobes
Size
Approximately 3-5 inches across, typical for the species
Margin
Entire to sparsely coarsely toothed
Arrangement
Opposite
Rarity
Common
Color & Pattern
Vibrant autumn coloration featuring shades of brilliant orange, red, and yellow; green during the growing season
Venation Pattern
Palmate venation with distinct primary veins radiating from the base
Texture & Surface
Smooth adaxial surface and slightly paler, sometimes pubescent abaxial surface
Description
The Sugar Maple is a magnificent deciduous tree renowned for its brilliant fall foliage and its sweet sap, which is boiled down to make maple syrup. The leaves feature deep, U-shaped sinuses between rounded lobes.
Key Features
Opposite leaf arrangement, 5-lobed leaves with smooth margins and U-shaped sinuses, brown sharp-pointed winter buds
Habitat
Rich, moist, well-drained soils of deciduous forests, hillsides, and valleys
Geographic Range
Native to hardwood forests of northeastern and north-central North America, extending south to the uplands of the South
Condition Notes
Autumnal senescence phase showing natural brilliant fall color transitions with no major signs of distress
Interesting Facts
It takes about 40 gallons of sap from the Sugar Maple to produce just one gallon of pure maple syrup
Medicinal & Uses
Primary source of commercial maple syrup and valuable hardwood timber used for furniture, flooring, and bowling alleys
Ecological Role
Provides critical food and habitat for numerous forest mammals, insects, and birds, and contributes significantly to nutrient recycling via leaf litter
Similar Species
Norway Maple (Acer platanoides), which can be distinguished by milky sap oozing from the petiole when broken
Foraging Tips
Look for opposite branching and characteristic 5-lobed leaves in northern hardwood forests, especially during fall foliage season
Toxicity Warning
Non-toxic