Black Maple
(Acer nigrum)

Other common names: Black Sugar Maple, Sugar Maple
French names: Érable ŕ sucre
Family: Maple Family (Aceraceae)
Distinctive features: Tree;Droopy leaves. Classic maple-shaped leaves.
Similar species:
  •   Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum var. saccharum)
  •   Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) - leaf stalks exude milky sap when broken.
  •   Red Maple (Acer rubrum) - leaves are more toothed.
Flowers: Spring
Leaves: Opposite/Whorled;  Simple;  Toothed;  Droopy leaves. Classic maple-shaped leaves.
Habitat: Moist, bottomlands
Edible: Sap is edible.
Books: Trees in Canada: 136   
Native/Non-native: Native
Status: Less common than the other maples.
Notes: Easily confused with other maples, especially Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum var. saccharum) and Norway Maple (Acer platanoides).
See Also:
  •   Shades of Maple: Tree Identification Guide, from The Monday Garden, by Sue Sweeney
  •   Shades of Maple: Identification by Bud, from The Monday Garden, by Sue Sweeney
  •   Shades of Maple: The Flowers, from The Monday Garden, by Sue Sweeney
  

Trees and Shrubs       Maples

A close-up of Black Maple trunk and bark.

Flowers, in May.

Leaves unfolding in May.

Black Maple seed "keys". Note how plump they are.

Leaf. Note that it is very similar to Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum var. saccharum) and Norway Maple (Acer platanoides). However, Black Maple usually has fewer lobes and points than the others. As well, Norway Maple has milky sap, and Sugar Maple leaves aren't droopy.

However, note the droopy, wilted look of the leaves. This is characteristic of Black Maple.
  

Trees and Shrubs       Maples

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