Silver Maple: Acer saccharinum

The silver maple (Acer saccharinum) is sometimes called the white maple, soft maple, silverleaf maple, river maple and the creek maple.

Identification with the leaves

The leaves are deeply lobed (much deeper than that of the red maple, of which it can sometimes be confused with). The backside of the leaf is white or silvery and sometimes hairy.

Identification with the bark

Silver maples can be identified by their bark as it is fairly distinct. Older trees will have a grayish bark that will flake off to reveal brown spots. Also, broken twigs will have an unpleasant odor to them.

Where is the silver maple found?

The silver maple is an eastern US tree that is extremely common. Observers can occasionally find it in parts of southern and southeastern canada.