Click on the images to help you identify a sugar maple.
Form
Height reaches 80 feet, with a trunk diameter of up to 24 inches or more. The crown is symmetrically rounded, and the trunk is long and clear of branches.
Bark
Young bark is light gray to brown and somewhat smooth. Older bark is almost black, with irregular plates or scales. Twigs are smooth and reddish-brown, with sharp-pointed winter buds.
Leaf
Leaves are simple, opposite on the stem, and 3 to 5 inches long, with three- to five-pointed, smooth-edged lobes. Divisions between lobes are rounded. The upper surface is dark green, the underside lighter green, and leaves turn brilliant shades of dark red, scarlet, orange, or yellow in autumn.
Fruit (seed)
Seeds consist of two slightly connected wings (samaras), each containing a single seed, about 1 inch long. They are easily carried by the wind.
Range
Found in cool, rich locations in the eastern half of the state. This species is very shade tolerant, slow growing, and a long-lived climax species. It is sensitive to fire.
Wood uses
The wood is light brown, hard, heavy, strong, and close-grained. Commercially, it is called hard or rock maple. It is used for flooring, furniture, shoe lasts, numerous small articles, maple syrup, maple sugar, and fuel. This species is also important for ornamental plantings. The high sugar content in the sap makes it valuable for making maple syrup.