How to Identify Maple Trees

Trees in the maple family are fairly easy to identify. There are over 150 species of maples; red, sugar, silver and black to name a few. There is a general description of the genus which does not vary much from species to species, but to find a particular tree and the specific characteristics which differentiate it from the others it is best to consult a book or a Web site.

Instructions

1. Look at the leaves of a maple tree, typically displaying three to five lobes with small, jagged edges. Most maple leaves range between 3 to 6 inches in diameter with the average being about 4 inches. The leaves are paired on opposite sides of the branches with generally one side being darker and glossier than the other.

2. Take note of the small flowers the maple produces in early spring. They are typically tiny and delicate in a variety of shapes. Most of the flower on maples are typically yellowish to greenish in color, with the exception of the Red maple which bores red flowers.

3. Note the double-winged seeds that resemble mini-propellers. These, too, are a well-known characteristic of the maple tree.

4. Compare their height with their spread. It is nearly equal. An average maple tree will grow to 70 to 90 feet with a 60 to 80 foot spread. The diameter of the trunk is from 2 to 3 feet.

5. Enjoy their beautiful colors in the fall. Maples are deciduous trees, but before the leaves fall their color becomes bright, usually yellow, orange and red or a combination.