Some underdeveloped or stunted sugar maple leaves will have only three or four lobes. If you see a leaf with fewer than five lobes but suspect the tree is a sugar maple, look around and find other leaves, which may be better specimens. The leaves of the Silver maple (Acer saccharinum) can be distinguished from those of the Sugar maple. Silver maple leaves have very deep margins between the five lobes, and the underside is silver or white in color. [3] X Trustworthy Source Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Iowa State University’s Extension and Outreach program dedicated to educating and engaging communities Go to source
The sugar maple is the national tree of Canada so if you want an indicator of whether or not you are looking at one, compare the shape of your tree’s leaves to the leaf on the Canadian flag. [5] X Expert Source Michael Simpson, PhDRegistered Professional Biologist Expert Interview. 25 June 2021. While many other maples also have smooth margins, the extremely common red maple (Acer rubrum) has sharp points and serrated or toothed margins between the lobes. This can be a useful distinguishing feature. [6] X Research source The sugar maple leaf stalk (also called a “petiole”), which connects the individual leaves to the branch they grow on, should be the same length as (or slightly shorter than) the blades of the leaves.
Only one leaf should grow from each individual stem.
If you won’t have a ruler with you in the woods, but are planning to examine tree leaves, measure a segment of one of your fingers. This can serve as an approximate ruler in the field. For example, from the tip of your thumb to the first joint may measure one inch.
On the underside of the leaves, the veins may appear slightly “hairy. ”
The bark can be described as “furrowed,” and has deep rifts or valleys between each plate of bark. Sugar maple trees are often confused with Norway maples (Acer platanoides) in Europe and western Asia. The two are most easily distinguished by their bark: the bark of a young Norway maple is one thin layer. Over time, Norway maple bark will develop vertical fissures, but they are not as deep and pronounced as the fissures of the Sugar maple, and do not lift up as much around the edges of the bark plates. [10] X Research source
Mature sugar maple trees may appear “shaggy” from a distance, due to the exaggerated peeling plates of bark that the trees develop. [12] X Research source
During the winter months, you may find brown, cone-shaped buds growing along the length of the twigs, in an opposite orientation, and 1 larger bud growing straight out from the terminal end of the twigs. [15] X Research source Twig buds are also useful in distinguishing Sugar maples from Norway maples. The buds of the Norway maple are larger than those of the Sugar maple. Norway maple buds are covered in larger purple scales, which form a rounded tip. [16] X Research source
The paired “wings” connect at the fruit and are oriented to each other at a 60 to 90 degree angle.
These fruits are sometimes referred to as “seeds. ” However, fruit is the correct designation, as the seeds are located inside the fleshy tissue of the sugar-maple fruit.
