Common Maple Trees In Ohio (8 Types You Must Know)
I think we can all agree that maple syrup is the best. Who wouldn’t want to plant some maple trees in their backyard if they had the space?
If you live in Ohio and are looking for the best maple variety to grow in your home, then this is the only article you need to read.
In this article, I’ll go over eight of the most commonly grown maple trees in Ohio, including both native and non-native naturalized varieties. Each tree is distinct in its own right and can provide syrups, hardwoods, and other products.
So, let’s explore the world of maple trees in Ohio.
1. Sugar Maple
- Common Name: Sugar Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer saccharum
- Mature Height: 50–70′ (15–21 m)
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Greenish-yellow flowers, paired green winged seeds
- Uses: Source of maple syrup, maple sugar, hardwood used for furniture, flooring and cabinets
Undoubtedly, Sugar Maple is among the most commonly found maple trees in Ohio. It is a well-known and well-liked tree that both people and wildlife adore, not just in Ohio.
It can reach 50-70 feet in height and has a single trunk with ascending branches and a thin rounded to oval crown. The leaves are lobed and 3-5 inches (7.5-12.5 cm) long, with 5 lobes (sometimes 3), pointy tips, a few irregular teeth, and a wavy edge. The leaf’s upper side is yellowish-green, while the underside is lighter.
Sugar Maple bark is gray in color, with narrow furrows and uneven ridges that can be scaly. The flowers are greenish-yellow and about 14″ (.6 cm) wide, dangling from a stalk that is 1-2″ (2.5-5 cm) long. The tree produces a pair of green-winged seeds (samara) that turn tan and measure 34- 112″ (2-4 cm) long.
The Sugar Maple is a North American native that can survive for 150-200 years. It thrives in rich, moist soil and full sun.
The tree’s leaves change from a gorgeous orange to a blazing crimson in the fall. In the spring, a break in any twig, branch, or trunk of the Sugar Maple oozes sugary water, attracting birds, beetles, and mammals who drink the sap.
While the Sugar Maple is well-known for its sweet sap, it also serves as a great organic fertilizer. The leaves that fall from the tree decompose quickly, providing nutrients for other plants to thrive. Because of its incredibly hard wood, which is used to make furniture, flooring, and cabinets, the Sugar Maple is also known as the Hard Maple.
The Sugar Maple, which resembles the Black Maple species, is commonly planted in yards, parks, and along roadways.
2. Mountain Maple
- Common Name: Mountain Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer spicatum
- Mature Height: 20-30 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Yellowish-green flowers
One of the shortest maple trees in Ohio, the Mountain Maple, or Acer spicatum, is a little tree that grows up to 20-30 feet tall, with a single crooked trunk and upright branches that produce an uneven crown.
The Mountain Maple’s lobbed leaves, which are typically 2-4 inches long and have three pointed lobes (occasionally five), are easily identifiable. These leaves are light green in hue and have a coarsely serrated edge. The leafstalk is usually red and longer than the leaf.
The Mountain Maple’s bark is reddish-brown and sometimes smooth, with light-colored grooves. The tree produces clusters of many little yellowish-green blooms with five petals and a 12-inch diameter in late April.
The Mountain Maple releases a pair of winged seeds (samara) after the flowers, which are often scarlet before turning yellow and brown. These seeds have a length of 34-1 inch and fall in early winter.
Mountain Maples are endemic to North America and can be found all across the continent. It prefers damp soils around streams and other wet locations, and it tolerates shade. This explains why it is typically classified as an understory tree, growing beneath the canopy of larger, more dominating trees.
The Mountain Maple trees are also known as the Moose Maple because it grows in moose habitats. Because of its weak root system, its wood has not been investigated for commercial use.
3. Red Maple
- Common Name: Red Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer rubrum
- Mature Height: 40-60 feet (12-18 meters)
- Native/Non-Native: Native to the United States
- Flowers/Cones: Tiny red hanging flowers and winged seeds (samara)
- Uses: Provides shade, used for ornamental purposes, source of syrup and wood
The red maple tree is a beautiful and useful tree native to the United States. It can reach a height of 60 feet and has a narrow, dense crown. It has lobed leaves that are pale green in hue with crimson leafstalks. The tree’s bark is gray and smooth, with small, irregular cracks.
Red Maple produces little red hanging flowers in bunches throughout the spring. These flowers are followed by winged seeds that are around 12 to 1 inch long and scarlet in color. In the fall, the tree’s foliage changes from green to crimson or orange, adding to its natural beauty.
Red Maple is a vital resource because it offers shade and is frequently planted in gardens and parks for ornamental purposes. Furthermore, its sap can be utilized to manufacture maple syrup, a delectable topping for pancakes and waffles. Because of its beauty and durability, Red Maple wood is often used for furniture, flooring, and other decorative products.
Red Maple may grow in a variety of soil types and moisture levels, but it flourishes in wet to moist soils near swamps or depressions that hold water. It can also thrive in the sun or in partial shade, making it a flexible tree that can be planted in a variety of locations.
Red Maple is one of the most drought-tolerant maple species in Ohio, meaning it can tolerate periods of drought. Its hard, brittle wood distinguishes it from other trees known as Soft Maple.
4. Black Maple
- Black Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer nigrum
- Mature Height: 40-70 feet (12-21 meters)
- Native/Non-native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Green winged seeds
- Uses: Shade, makes maple syrup
One of the most commonly seen maple trees in Ohio, the Black Maple is a medium-sized tree that is closely related to the Sugar Maple. It has a broad, spherical crown and can reach heights of 70 feet. The lobed leaves of the Black Maple are oppositely linked to the stem.
They can grow up to 6 inches long and have three pointed lobes, however they can have five at times. The leaves have a smooth or wavy edge and are dark green on top and yellowish underneath. The leaves turn a vivid golden in the fall.
The bark distinguishes the Black Maple from the Sugar Maple. The bark of the Black Maple is light gray and can grow scaly as it ages. Its bark is frequently darker than that of the Sugar Maple, from which the Black Maple derives its name.
The Black Maple grows in moister soils and tolerates drought better than the Sugar Maple. They grow slowly yet can live for 150-175 years.
Black maples are endemic to North America, where they thrive in damp, fertile soils, floodplains, and bottomlands. They are commonly employed as shade trees and have a wide distribution across the United States. It’s worth noting that Black Maples and Sugar Maples can crossbreed, making it difficult to tell them apart.
The fruit of the Black Maple is a pair of green winged seeds known as samara that turn tan as they ripen. They are around 1-2 inches long and can live for many years in the soil. Black Maple seeds can be used to establish new trees.
5. Silver Maple
- Common Name: Silver Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer saccharinum
- Mature Height: 75-100 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Tiny red dangling flowers with ¼ inch wide on a 1-2 inches long stalk
- Uses: Ornamental, honey production, wood for furniture, flooring, musical instruments, and firewood
Silver maple trees are one of the tallest maple trees in Ohio, that can reach heights of 75-100 feet. It is a lovely tree that grows in wet or moist soils around rivers, where it is frequently the prominent tree.
Silver Maple is distinguished by its lobed leaves. The leaves are typically 4-6 inches long and have 5-7 lobes with pointy points. They are drab green on top and silvery white on the bottom. Silver Maples produce small crimson dangling blossoms that are just 14 inches wide in the spring. They have a 1-2 inch long stalk.
Following the blooming of the blooms, the tree produces a pair of green winged seeds known as samara. The seeds turn brown and can reach a length of 1-2 12 inches.
When young, the bark of a Silver Maple is gray and smooth, but as it ages, it becomes furrowed with long scaly strips that peel and curl at the edges.
Silver maples are not only attractive but also functional. They are utilized for decorative purposes, honey production, and woodworking. The wood of the tree is robust and solid, with a tight grain that lends itself to furniture, flooring, and even musical instruments.
Silver Maple trees can also be harvested for firewood.
6. Norway Maple
- Common Name: Norway Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer platanoides
- Mature Height: 40-60 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Non-native
- Flowers/Cones: Green flowers and pairs of widely spread winged seeds (samara)
- Uses: Planted in parks, yards, and along streets for ornamentation
The Norway Maple is a tree that was brought to the United States from Europe approximately 100-125 years ago.
Despite the fact that it is not native to the United States, it is one of the commonly found maple trees in Ohio and has swiftly become a regular sight on the streets and in parks. The tree’s distinctive shape is due to its one straight stem and dense spherical crown.
Norway Maple leaves are lobed, 5-7 inches long, and oppositely linked to the tree. They are characterized by 5-7 lobes, shallow notches, and a wavy edge. Leaves, buds, and twigs release milky sap when cut. The leaves are lustrous dark green on the top and light green on the bottom.
Norway Maple bark is dark gray in color, with many small furrows and interlacing ridges. The tree bears green flowers that range in size from 12 to 34 inches. These flowers grow on a green stalk that is 1-2 inches long. The tree also produces pairs of 1-2 inch long winged seeds known as samara. These seeds are more widely distributed than Silver Maple or Sugar Maple seeds.
The Norway Maple is not native to the United States, and its common name is derived from the nation of origin, Norway. T
he tree thrives in well-drained, fertile soils with sun to partial shade. It is regarded as one of the most disease and insect-resistant maple tree species, making it a popular planting choice.
7. Amur Maple
- Common Name: Amur Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer ginnala
- Mature Height: 15-20 feet (4.5-6 meters)
- Native/Non-Native: Non-Native
- Flowers/Cones: Small green flowers in drooping clusters, with pair of red-tinged winged seeds (samara) turning bright red
- Uses: Ornamental shrub, autumn attraction
One of the most common non-native maple trees in Ohio, the Amur Maple is a tiny tree with a multi-stemmed trunk. It is a popular ornamental shrub in parks and yards due to its compact lower branches and uneven crown.
The Amur Maple’s leaves are arrowhead-shaped and lobed, with three to five pointed lobes and abrasive teeth. The glossy green leaves are linked to the branches in opposing directions, and the leafstalk is frequently brilliant red.
The Amur Maple becomes a brilliant scarlet in the autumn, making it a strikingly beautiful tiny tree. The samaras that grow on this tree are known as “helicopters” because of the way they rotate to the ground and turn a vivid crimson. This tree is quite durable and can withstand shade, making it a great choice for gardeners wishing to add some color.
The Amur Maple is a non-native species from eastern Asia that was introduced to the United States. It is also known as the Siberian Maple since it is thought to have originated in the Amur River, which runs between China and Russia. Acer is Latin for “sharp,” which refers to its pointed lobes.
Last but not least, the Amur Maple is a great option for gardeners seeking a splash of color. It requires little care, and its bright red leaves are a fall must-have.
8. Boxelder Maple
- Common Name: Boxelder
- Scientific Name: Acer negundo
- Mature Height: 30-50 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers: Small red flowers
- Uses: Used for making syrup,Ornamental
Boxelder, one of the commonly seen medium-sized maple trees in Ohio, can reach heights of 30-50 feet and has a trunk that is frequently divided and crooked, with an uneven crown.
Boxelder leaves are compound, which means they are made up of 3-5 leaflets that are 4-9 inches long and pale green in color. The tree’s bark is light gray to brown, and its blossoms are tiny reddish flowers that grow on a long stalk.
Because of its complex leaves, Boxelder stands out among native maple trees. Although it is commonly regarded as a garbage tree, Boxelder produces a significant number of seeds that remain on the tree throughout the winter, giving it a valuable food source for wildlife.
Furthermore, if the tree is tapped in the spring, it will produce sap that may be boiled down to make maple syrup. While its sugar content is lower than that of other maples, producing equivalent syrup requires more sap.
It’s worth noting that these trees are frequently infested with Boxelder Bugs, which are innocuous insects whose larvae eat the leaves but cause little damage. Boxelder is also known as Manitoba Maple and Ash-leaf Maple.
Boxelder thrives in the sun and enjoys damp regions beside streams, lakes, and flooded areas. The tree is native to the area and has a life expectancy of 50-60 years. Boxelder leaves turn bright yellow in the fall, bringing a dash of color to the environment.
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Common Maple Trees In Ohio – Sources
The Regional Gardening team makes sure that the information in our articles is accurate by only using sources that are known to be trustworthy. Some of these sources are peer-reviewed journals from government agencies, well-known universities, and scientific research organizations.
- Trees Of Ohio, Division Of Wildlife
- Trees Of Ohio Field Guide, Book by Stan Tekiela
- Ohio Trees, OSU Extension Publications
- Native Plant Lists, Ohio Department Of Natural Resources
- Ohio Department Of Agriculture
- Gardening, The Ohio State University
