Red maple
Acer rubrum
Usually three to five pointed lobes, with small teeth along the edges.
Compare similar trees
Red Maple & Sugar Maple
Both have opposite leaves and paired winged fruits. Look at the leaf edges before autumn color.
Observe from a permitted path. Use attached or naturally fallen material without picking or peeling. Photographs show individual examples, not every variation or a common scale.
Leaves
The red maple photograph shows emerging leaves. Check fully expanded leaves too; red autumn color occurs in both species.
Sugar maple
Acer saccharum
Typically five lobes, with smooth edges between the major points.
Bark
These bark patterns overlap. Bark alone is a weak way to separate the two.
Red maple
Acer rubrum
Young bark is smooth gray; older bark breaks into ridges and plates.
Sugar maple
Acer saccharum
Older bark develops long, irregular, thick ridges or plates.
Winged fruits
Timing varies with climate. Wing angle and fruit color vary too; combine them with leaf margins.
Red maple
Acer rubrum
Paired samaras commonly form a V. They mature earlier, in spring or early summer.
Sugar maple
Acer saccharum
Paired samaras commonly form a U. They develop later, into summer and autumn.
Look again before you decide.
These clues compare this pair; other species, hybrids, age, and growing conditions can complicate identification. If the features disagree, keep observing and consult a local field guide or knowledgeable person.
Botanical references checked October 10, 2026. NC State Extension: Red maple · Sugar maple.