norway maple

Norway Maple Acer platanoides
Family: Aceraceae (Maple)
Branching: Opposite

This imported tree is very commonly planted in cities. If a maple is encountered outside of a natural-growth area, chances are it is Norway Maple. It is popular for its symmetrical shape and thick foliage. It is usually easy to tell it apart from the other maples. In the summer, it looks most like Sugar Maple. Norway Maple has the most symmetrical shape and most regularly furrowed of the Maples, and can resemble an Ash. Bark on young branches (a few inches in diameter) acquires a distinctive striped appearance.

Norway maple twig. Usually a reddish-brown with purplish buds. The end bud is more plump
than those of Sugar Maple.

Another view of a winter twig

Young bark on saplings or new branches has a striped look. I find this to be one of the best distinctive
features of Norway Maple when compared to the other maples.

Middle-aged bark as it starts to show shallow furrows.

The angle between the keys is so great they are sometimes nearly straight