Black Maple

Acer nigrum

Family Aceraceae
Notable Features
Leaves: Leaves opposite, with fewer lobes* and shallower sinuses* than the Sugar Maple. Leaf edges drooping and wavy. Leaves are dark green, with hairy undersides, and equal color on the top and bottom. The petioles* become somewhat swollen toward the base, and often engulf buds.
Twigs/Buds: Twigs are a dull orange-brown, yet hairless. Buds* appear oppositely and are small and pointed.
Bark: Bark is a dark gray, cracked, rough, and ridged.
Flowers/ Keys: Flowers light yellow or white, appearing in clusters at the ends of twigs and branches April through June. Keys* appear June through September and form slightly less than a 90 degree angle with one another.
Size/Shape: A medium sized tree reaching heights of 40 to 60 feet (12-18 meters), and diameters of 1 to 2 feet (30-60 centimeters).
Location on Campus

(click for map)
Directly next to one of the Sugar Maples in the group growing on the side of Chapel's Pond opposite Chapel's field.
Uses
Both the lumber and sap of the Black Maple are practically indistinguishable from those of the Sugar Maple. As such, the sap may be boiled down for syrup or used to brew tea.
Except where specifically noted, all text, photographs, and drawings copyright Chris Bersbach and Lisa Leombruni 2002. No part of this page may be reproduced without the express permission of the authors.