Sugar Maple (Rock Maple, Hard Maple)
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Sapindales, Family: Sapindaceae, Genus: Acer, Species: Acer saccharum · Sapindaceae (Soapberry / Maple family) · Simple, deciduous
Species
Acer saccharum
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Family
Sapindaceae (Soapberry / Maple family)
Shape
Palmately lobed with 5 distinct sharp-pointed lobes separated by U-shaped sinuses
Size
Approximately 3 to 6 inches long and wide
Margin
Entire along the sinuses with sparse sharp-pointed teeth on the main lobe tips
Arrangement
Opposite on long slender petioles
Rarity
Very Common throughout its native range
Color & Pattern
Deep rich green upper surface with a lighter green underside; petiole shows subtle reddish tint; small brown herbivory marks present on blade
Venation Pattern
Palmate venation with five primary veins radiating from the leaf base
Texture & Surface
Smooth (glabrous) to papery upper surface with subtle sheen; pale underside
Description
A classic medium to large deciduous tree reaching 80 to 110 feet in height with a dense, rounded crown. Renowned for its spectacular fall foliage ranging from bright yellow and orange to vibrant red. The leaves feature five sharply pointed lobes with broad, smooth U-shaped sinuses. During spring, small greenish-yellow flowers bloom in pendant clusters before leaves fully expand, producing winged samaras in early autumn.
Key Features
U-shaped sinuses between lobes (unlike the V-shaped sinuses of Red Maple), opposite leaf arrangement, five main lobes, and pointed brown winter buds.
Habitat
Moist, well-drained, fertile soils in rich mesic deciduous forests and upland slopes
Geographic Range
Native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to Minnesota and south to Georgia and Texas
Condition Notes
Good condition with minor mechanical or insect feeding damage near the center, along with slight chlorotic spotting, typical for mid-to-late summer foliage.
Interesting Facts
Acer saccharum is the primary source of maple syrup due to the high sugar content in its spring sap. It is also the state tree of Vermont, New York, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, and its iconic leaf design is featured on the Canadian flag.
Medicinal & Uses
Sap is boiled down for maple syrup and sugar. High-density wood is prized for flooring, furniture, cabinetry, and musical instruments. Historically, Native Americans used bark preparations for kidney and eye ailments.
Ecological Role
Dominant canopy species in northern hardwood forests, providing food for caterpillars, nesting sites for songbirds, and browse for deer and moose.
Similar Species
Acer rubrum (Red Maple) which has V-shaped sinuses and double-serrate margins; Acer platanoides (Norway Maple) which exudes milky white sap from broken petioles and has broader lobes.
Foraging Tips
Look for opposite branching and 5-lobed leaves with U-shaped sinuses. Sap is harvested in early spring when freezing nights are followed by thawing days.
Toxicity Warning
Non-toxic to humans and common domestic pets. However, wilted or dry leaves are highly toxic to horses if ingested, causing severe anemia.