Maple Leaf Identification: Recognize Common Maple Leaves

Many maples have palmately lobed leaves: several main veins spread from where the leaf stalk meets the blade. Their paired winged seeds, called samaras, are another strong clue.

Count the main lobes

Many maple leaves show three to five main lobes, but the depth and sharpness of the cuts varies by species.

Inspect the edge

The lobe edge may be smooth, coarsely toothed, or finely serrated. Use a close-up photo if the margin is hard to see.

Find paired samaras

Paired winged seeds are characteristic of maples and help separate them from trees with superficially similar leaves.

Use a photo as a starting point

Capture the front and back of the leaf in natural light, include the leaf stem when possible, and photograph bark, fruit, or buds too. Then compare several features before making a final identification.