Sugar Maple is a large tree, fairly common in the Mountains of North Carolina, rare as a native in the Piedmont, and also a rare escape from cultivation in the Piedmont. It is also commonly planted throughout the state because of its brilliant fall colors and attractive form.

Madison Co., NC 5/11/08.

Sugar Maple occurs in scattered areas in the Piedmont, especially in areas with diabase soil, such as here at Knap of Reeds Creek near Butner, NC.

Granville Co., NC 4/27/08.

Granville Co., NC 4/27/08.

Granville Co., NC 4/27/08.

Detail of leaf underside, which is glaucous (whitened) and glabrous (hairless).

Granville Co., NC 4/27/08.

The leaves are similar to those of the Southern Sugar Maple, but larger and either glabrous (smooth) or pubescent only on the veins. The very similar Black Maple (Acer nigrum), rare in the Mountains, has yellowish-green pubescent leaf undersides.

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.

The bark of young trees is smooth, but it is broken into plates on older trees.

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.

Bark of a large tree.

Granville Co., NC 4/27/08.