Acer saccharum (ay’-sir sak-kar’-um)
Family: Sapindaceae, Soapberry

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

Description

Leaf: Bright green above, paler beneath. Lobes are almost smooth, few teeth, and the petiole does not yield a milky sap.

Bud: Slender, sharp pointed and brown. Six to eight paris of scales.

Leaf Scar: Narrow, crescent-shaped. Hair along upper edge of scar.

Stem: Glossy brown. Small lenticles.

Bark: Dark gray to grayish-brown.

Pith: Round, pale, solid.

Flower: Yellowish-green, 1-3 inches long panicles, blooming before leaves appear.

Fruit: Horseshoe-shaped double samara.

Habit: Large, dense shade tree. Spreading branches. 50 feet tall by 30 foot spread. Oval to round. Slow growing.

Culture: Prefers slightly acidic, well-drained soil and moderate moisture requirement. Typically show iron chlorosis (yellowing of leaf with veins remaining green) in alkaline soils. Leaves are susceptible to wind (leaf scorch) and hail damage.

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