Maple Tree

The maple tree is commonly planted for its shade and autumn colors. Growing to a height of 25 m (80 ft), the sugar maple has green leaves with silver undersides. With the onset of autumn, the deeply lobed leaves turn a bright yellow. Maple trees grow in North America and Europe. Many of the Asian species are different from their western relatives. The species most commonly grown have "maple-shaped" leaves, such as the one depicted on the Canadian flag.

Maples are widely grown as ornamentals and street trees for their foliage and autumn colors. In addition to their ornamental importance, maples are a source of good timber and of sugar or syrup, especially sugar maple.