Previous Steps

• 1a – Opposite leaf arrangement on stem — go to 2
  • 2a – Leaf simple — go to 3
    • 3a – Leaves are lobed — go to 4
      • 4b – No milky sap — go to 5
        • 5a – Margins of lobes are smooth — go to 6

Current Step

• 6a – Lobes have blunt tips. Leaf is up to 3 inches wide, shiny above and hairy beneath. Irregular canopy — Big Tooth Maple

• 6b – Lobes more sharply pointed than Big Tooth Maple. Leaf is 3-6 inches wide, not very shiny. A few hairs on veins beneath. Round canopy — Sugar Maple

Resources

• Identifying Broadleaf Flowering Trees and Shrubs, CMG GardenNotes #173
• List of trees in this key
• Glossary of Terms
• Front Range Tree Recommendation List
• Online CSU Extension publications on Tree and Shrub Selection