• found almost anywhere including forests, stream banks, and fields

• usually medium sized, but can grow up to 27m or 90 feet
  
• often an understory tree growing underneath a thick cover of taller trees

• opposite
  
• 3-5 lobes
  
• mostly sharp toothed
  
• dull green on top, pale green or whitish on bottom

• small and greenish flowers
• dry, double-winged fruit called samaras or "keys"

• differs by species
  
• Red Maple: smooth gray trunk when young, broken and darker as tree ages

A block of this hardwood is ideal for making the drill and handle of a bow drill, useful for igniting a pile of tinder. A section of green twig from this tree can be used as an old-fashioned toothbrush. This dense hardwood burns slowly and evenly making it ideal for slow cooking.