19 Common and Rare Maple Tree Varieties (With Pictures)

Maple trees are a beloved part of many landscapes due to their stunning fall colors and unique leaf shapes. Native to a variety of regions, these trees come in both common and rare varieties that can add beauty and shade to any garden or park.

Understanding the variety of maple trees available can help us decide which species to plant in our own spaces. From towering shade givers to smaller, decorative options, the world of maples offers something for every taste and need.

1. Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

Plant Profile

• Uses: Shade tree, maple syrup production, ornamental landscaping
• Common Names: Sugar Maple, Hard Maple, Rock Maple
• Scientific Name: Acer saccharum
• Height: 40 to 80 feet
• Width: 30 to 60 feet
• Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
• Soil: Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic
• Sun: Full sun to part shade

The sugar maple, known scientifically as Acer saccharum, is a prominent hardwood tree native to the forests of eastern Canada and the United States. This tree is easily identifiable by its bright fall foliage and its crucial role in producing maple syrup.

Sugar maples grow best in moist, well-drained, and slightly acidic soils. They can tolerate full sun to part shade, making them versatile for different landscape settings.

While they are intolerant of compacted soil, high heat, air pollution, and road salt, they thrive in park and lawn settings, providing ample shade. The bark on younger trees is light gray to brown and smooth, while older trees display gray to almost black bark with a scaly texture.

2. Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

Red Maple (Acer rubrum) is a well-known deciduous tree native to North America. We often see it from southeastern Canada down to Florida, and as far west as Texas. This tree is called “red maple” due to its striking red leaves in the fall.

Red Maples grow fast and can reach up to 70 feet in height. They thrive in a variety of soils but prefer moist, well-drained areas. Their wood is also reddish, adding to their name.

In landscapes, red maples are popular for their vibrant flowers and broad canopies. They provide excellent shade and stunning fall colors. We also use them as shade, boulevards, and accent plants.

3. Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)

Silver Maple, also known as Acer saccharinum, is a fast-growing deciduous tree. We often see it along waterways and in wetlands. This tree can grow up to 82 feet tall and spreads about 36-49 feet wide.

The leaves have a distinct silvery underside, which gives the tree its name. We notice that its branches tend to be brittle, breaking in high winds or heavy ice.

Silver Maple thrives in moist or poorly drained soils. It’s commonly found in the Eastern United States. Let’s look at its key characteristics below:

4. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)

Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) is a standout in any garden. These trees are known for their delicate, multi-lobed leaves that change color with the seasons. They can grow to be between 10-25 feet tall, though dwarf varieties are also available.

The leaves of the Japanese Maple are often bright green in summer and turn vibrant shades of red, yellow, or orange in the fall. The bark of some varieties, such as ‘Sango Kaku,’ can be bright coral and intensify in cooler seasons.

Native to Japan, Korea, and China, Japanese Maples thrive in USDA Zones 5-9. They prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.

5. Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)

The Norway Maple is a large, deciduous tree with a dense, rounded crown. Native to Europe and western Asia, it was introduced to North America where it became quite common. The tree can grow up to 25 meters tall.

Its leaves are sharply pointed and five-lobed, turning a striking yellow or orange in the fall. The bark of mature trees is gray and furrowed. Norway Maple trees thrive in USDA Zones 4 to 7.

The tree is dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female trees. In its native range, it can live up to 250 years, though in North America, its lifespan is often around 60 years.

6. Box Elder (Acer negundo)

The Box Elder, also known as Acer negundo, is a type of maple tree. This tree is commonly found near streams and rivers, preferring moist areas. It can grow up to 80 feet tall but often remains shorter.

Box Elder trees have compound leaves, which is different from many other maples. The leaves turn yellow in the fall. This tree produces clusters of small flowers in the spring, with female trees developing winged fruits called samaras.

Box Elder trees have a lifespan of about 60 to 75 years. They can grow multiple trunks and sometimes form dense thickets. While they are fast-growing, they are also relatively short-lived compared to other trees.

7. Amur Maple (Acer ginnala)

Plant Profile:

• Botanical Name: Acer ginnala
• Common Names: Amur Maple
• Family: Sapindaceae (formerly Aceraceae)
• Plant Type: Shrub, Tree
• Foliage: Deciduous
• Size Range: 15-20 feet
• Native Locale: East Asia
• Fall Color: Yellow, Red, Orange

The Amur Maple is a versatile and attractive deciduous shrub or small tree. It is native to East Asia and can grow up to 20 feet tall. Its foliage is particularly striking in the fall, with leaves turning shades of yellow, red, and orange.

This maple has three-lobed leaves, with the middle lobe being longer than the side ones. The leaves are dark green during the summer. We often use the Amur Maple in landscaping due to its vibrant fall colors and adaptability.

Amur Maple is generally free from pests, though it can be affected by aphids and the Yellow-bellied sap-sucker. Despite these occasional problems, it remains a popular choice for gardens and parks.

8. Black Maple (Acer nigrum)

Black Maple (Acer nigrum) is closely related to the Sugar Maple. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the Sugar Maple. Black Maple trees are also known as Black Sugar Maple, Hard Maple, or Rock Maple.

This tree typically grows in moist soils found in river bottoms and mixed hardwood forests. It does well in the northeast, upper Midwest, and southern Canada.

Black Maple trees can reach heights of 60-75 feet, with some growing up to 100 feet. Their wood is hard and strong, making it valuable in the furniture and flooring industries. Black Maples can also hybridize with Sugar Maples, producing offspring with traits from both species.

9. Striped Maple (Acer pensylvanicum)

The Striped Maple, or Acer pensylvanicum, is a deciduous tree native to northeastern North America. It’s often called Goosefoot Maple due to its leaf shape. The tree thrives in woodland areas and prefers partial shade, as full sun can scorch its leaves.

This small tree stands out because of its unique bark. Young bark displays vertical white stripes that contrast against a greenish-gray background. As the tree ages, the bark color changes to a reddish-brown, and the stripes fade.

In spring and summer, Striped Maple leaves are toothed and shaped somewhat like a goose’s foot. The fall brings bright yellow foliage, adding seasonal interest to gardens and forests alike.

10. Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum)

Bigleaf Maple, also known as Oregon Maple, is a deciduous tree native to the west coast of North America. This tree is remarkable for its large leaves, often reaching up to 12 inches across. It grows rapidly when young but slows down as it ages. Mature trees typically range from 50 to 100 feet tall.

Bigleaf Maple thrives in moist woods and along streams. It’s common from southeast Alaska to southern California. This tree can live up to 300 years, making it moderately long-lived.

11. Rocky Mountain Maple (Acer glabrum)

The Rocky Mountain Maple is a small and delicate-looking tree. It typically reaches heights of up to 25 feet. Its branches are opposite and erect, with rounded twigs and a narrow crown.

This tree has leaves that are 3 to 5 inches long and wide, featuring three to five lobes. The leaves are dark green on top and pale beneath. In the fall, they turn a beautiful yellow to muted red.

Rocky Mountain Maple thrives in a range of environments and is often seen in both closed stands and open spaces. It’s known for its striking red bark and light green leaves, making it an attractive choice for landscaping. This table summarizes the key characteristics of the Rocky Mountain Maple.

12. Vine Maple (Acer circinatum)

Vine Maple (Acer circinatum) is a versatile and attractive tree native to the Pacific Northwest. It’s commonly found in moist woodlands and along streambanks from northern California to British Columbia. This tree usually grows as a shrub or small tree with a spread-out, multi-stemmed form.

The leaves are rounded with 7-9 lobes, turning bright shades of yellow and red during the fall. The bark is smooth and reddish-green, adding to its visual appeal. The tree does well in shaded areas and can tolerate a variety of soil types, making it a great choice for diverse landscapes.

Vine Maple is also shade-tolerant and long-lived, making it an excellent addition to a woodland garden. It provides dense cover and can attract various wildlife. This tree not only enhances the beauty of any garden but also supports local ecosystems.

13. Mountain Maple (Acer spicatum)

Mountain Maple (Acer spicatum) is a native deciduous shrub or small tree. It belongs to the Sapindaceae family and is found in the northeastern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. This tree grows at a slow to moderate rate and can reach heights of 10 to 25 feet.

The Mountain Maple forms a bushy, spreading crown with a short trunk and slender branches. Its leaves are opposite, simple, and measure between 2 to 5 inches long and wide. They have three or five lobes with a toothed edge.

During spring, Mountain Maple produces yellowish flowers. The fruit consists of a pair of winged seeds called samaras, which turn from pinkish-red to brown as they mature. The bark is smooth and gray-brown when young but becomes bumpier with age.

The stems of the leaves are red, adding a splash of color to the tree’s appearance.

14. Hornbeam Maple (Acer carpinifolium)

The Hornbeam Maple, or Acer carpinifolium, is a unique maple species native to Japan. It differs from typical maples with its lobeless, ovate-oblong leaves, which resemble those of the hornbeam tree.

This tree typically grows to a height of 20 to 25 feet, but some specimens can reach up to 60 feet. The leaves display bright green colors in the summer and turn golden yellow in the fall.

The bark of the Hornbeam Maple is smooth and gray, adding to its aesthetic appeal. It produces greenish flowers in late spring that are not very showy. We find this tree thrives in moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate sun to partial shade.

15. Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum)

Paperbark Maple is a charming small tree native to central China’s mixed forests. It stands out with its exfoliating bark, which peels away in thin layers to reveal a rich cinnamon or copper color underneath.

Its leaves are trifoliate, turning vibrant shades of orange and red in the fall. This makes it a popular choice for ornamental planting in gardens and landscapes across the U.S. and Europe.

Discovered by plant explorer Ernest Henry Wilson in 1901, the paperbark maple was introduced to the West through seeds he collected. Today, mature trees typically reach heights of 20-30 feet, although some can grow up to 40 feet.

This tree requires moist roots, especially during its first few growing seasons. Afterward, it’s fairly low maintenance, needing only weekly deep soaks during hot, dry weather.

16. Fullmoon Maple (Acer japonicum)

The Fullmoon Maple, scientifically known as Acer japonicum, is a stunning tree native to Japan, Manchuria, and Korea. This deciduous tree is recognized for its rounded leaves that resemble a full moon, which is also the origin of its name.

It is usually a slow-growing tree and can appear as a small tree or large shrub. The leaves emerge bright green in spring, then turn to striking shades of red, orange, and yellow in the fall. This makes it a beautiful addition to any garden.

We find that the Fullmoon Maple thrives particularly well in climates with moderate to cool summers. It prefers dappled shade and makes an excellent understory accent in woodland gardens. Its smooth, gray bark often appears in a multi-trunked form, adding to its aesthetic appeal.

17. Tatarian Maple (Acer tataricum)

The Tatarian Maple is a deciduous tree native to forested areas from western Asia to southeastern Europe. It typically grows to heights of 15 to 25 feet (4.5 to 7.5 meters). This tree can be a small, upright tree or a large multi-stemmed shrub.

The leaves are broad-ovate and medium green, usually growing up to 4 inches long. In the fall, these leaves change to beautiful shades of yellow to orange-red. The tree has a dense, rounded crown which adds to its appeal. The Tatarian Maple’s fast growth and attractive foliage make it a great addition to many landscapes.

18. Nikko Maple (Acer maximowiczianum)

The Nikko Maple, or Acer maximowiczianum, is a small, vase-shaped tree originating from China and Japan. It was discovered by botanist Carl Johann Maximowicz in the 1860s and was named after the town of Nikko in Japan. This tree is now rare in its native habitat.

Nikko Maple grows to about 20 to 45 feet in height and has a round, deciduous form. Its trifoliate leaves are dull green on top and gray-green beneath, turning red in autumn. The bark is smooth and gray to grayish yellow, adding year-round interest.

Nikko Maple also produces yellow flowers in umbels, which add to its ornamental appeal. This tree prefers well-drained soil and partial to full sunlight.

19. Shantung Maple (Acer truncatum)

The Shantung Maple, also known as Acer truncatum, is appreciated for its ornamental beauty. It originates from northern China and Korea. This tree grows to about 20-25 feet tall, making it ideal for gardens and small spaces.

Its leaves are red-purple when young, turning green as they mature. This color transformation adds visual interest. The leaves are small, similar in size to Japanese Red Maple leaves.

The Shantung Maple is heat and drought-tolerant once established. It thrives in well-drained soils and can grow in full sun to partial shade. This adaptability makes it a great choice for various climates.