Silver Maple

LEAVES: Opposite, simple, deeply 5-lobed and coarsely toothed, about 5″ wide, bright green above, silvery-white beneath. Fall color is a greenish-yellow.

TWIGS: Slender, glossy, in spring green, turning chestnut brown. Lower branches have a distinctive upward curve at the end.

FRUIT: Largest of the native maples, wings 2″ long widely spreading, maturing in spring.

BARK: Smooth and gray on young trunks, older trunks brown and furrowed with plates that curl out on the ends.

GENERAL: Found in moist woods and on stream banks throughout Pennsylvania, usually reaching 50′-60′ high. Many mammals and birds eat the seeds. Planted as a shade tree but it has a tendency to split.