There are over 100 species of maple worldwide. In this guide, I'll focus on the maple tree identification by leaf for the most common maple trees in North America. Deciduous maple tree species are known for their spectacular autumn colors.
Leaves of maple trees are generally palmately lobed, growing in opposite pairs, with the exception of Manitoba maple (Box Elder), which has compound. Also called dwarf maple, moose maple, or white maple, this understory tree produces sweet sap for maple syrup. Its leaves have irregularly toothed margins and finely hairy undersides, turning yellow, orange, and red in autumn.
Bark starts smooth, becomes scaly, and darkens to brown with age. Leaf color can give helpful hints, though it may change with the seasons. Branching pattern: Maple trees grow leaves in opposite pairs on the branch, which means two leaves sit directly across from each other.
The maple tree is known for its striking fall color and distinctive leaves. Native to many areas in North America, maples grow in wooded areas. All maple trees are deciduous, losing their leaves in winter and growing new foliage the following spring.
A number of maples become quite large when mature and make excellent shade trees when given room to spread. Maple trees are beautiful deciduous shade trees with leafy foliage. Maple trees have dark brown furrowed bark, small, winged fruits, and narrow reddish-brown twigs.
Maple trees commonly have green lobed leaves that change their color to red, yellow, orange, and dark burgundy in the fall. 15 Types of Maple Trees for Vibrant Color Known for their gorgeous fall leaves, maple trees can also add color and texture to your landscape at other times of the year. The Chemistry of Autumn Colors The green color of maple leaves comes from chlorophyll, a pigment essential for photosynthesis.
Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars, providing the tree with energy. Chlorophyll is continuously produced and broken down, maintaining the leaf's green appearance. Maple leaves are primarily green during spring and summer, a color maintained throughout the growing season.
As autumn approaches, these leaves begin a striking transformation, transitioning into a spectrum of yellows, oranges, reds, and purples. The specific shades can vary significantly among different maple species. Uncover the fascinating natural processes that paint maple leaves in their iconic fall colors.
Explore the science and variety of these seasonal transformations. The dramatic transformation of maple leaves during fall, turning from green to rich shades of red, orange, and yellow, has long been celebrated in various cultures. In Canada, the maple leaf is a national symbol, representing unity, tolerance, and peace, and is prominently featured on the country's flag.