Black maple (Acer nigrum)

Form

Resembles sugar maple so closely that some botanists consider it a variety of the latter rather than a separate species. However, because it shows quite distinct characteristics, it can be considered a separate species. Although commonly smaller than the sugar maple, it can reach heights of 80' to 100' with a diameter of 24" to 36"; when grown in the open, it has a tall, dense, compact crown, but in the forest a tall trunk supports a shallow, flat-topped crown.

Bark

On young trunks and on branches, the bark is thin, smooth, and pale gray; on old trunks it is deeply furrowed and dark. Twigs are usually stouter than those of sugar maple and have conspicuous warty lenticels.

Leaf

Simple, opposite on stem, usually three-lobed (a characteristic that further helps to distinguish this tree from sugar maple) with each lobe tapering to a slender point; smooth or wavy margins; drooping sides; dark green above, yellowish-green below; yellow, orange, or deep red in autumn.

Fruit (seed)

Samara occurring in double-winged, u-shaped pairs; the wings, about an inch long, are slightly more divergent than those of sugar maple; a smooth, bright red-brown seed is enclosed at the base of each wing.

Range

Southeastern and south-central Minnesota; shade-tolerant, slow-growing.