Black maple - Definition and Overview

The Black Maple is a hardwood tree closely related to the Sugar Maple.

Identification can be confusing due to the tendency of the Black and Sugar maples to create hybrids. The simplest and most accurate method for distinguishing between the two trees is the 3-lobed leaves of the Black Maple versus the 5-lobed leaves of the Sugar Maple. The leaves of the Black Maple also tend to have a "droopy" appearance. Other differences that are not as pronounced include: darker, more deeply grooved bark, slightly smaller seeds, and thicker leaf stems.

The geographic range of the Black maple is slightly more limited than the Sugar maple, encompassing much of the northeastern United States and part of southeastern Canada. Black maple trees are used similarly to the Sugar maple; for their timber and for maple syrup production.