(Acer saccharinum)
Family: Aceraceae

Description
Large tree with short, stout trunk, few large forks, spreading, open, irregular crown of long, curving branches and graceful cut leaves. Height is 50–80 ft. (15–24 m). Diameter is 3 ft. (0.9 m). Leaves are 4–6 in. (10–15 cm) long and nearly as wide. They are broadly ovate, deeply five-lobed and long-pointed and doubly saw-toothed. Dull green above and silvery-white beneath. Leaves turn pale yellow in autumn. Bark is gray, becoming furrowed into long scaly, shaggy ridges. Flowers are 0.25 in. (6 mm) long, reddish buds turning greenish-yellow. Blooms in late winter or very early spring. Fruit is 1.5–2.5 in. (4–6 cm) long, light brown, one-seeded and matures in spring.

Habitat
Wet soils of stream banks, flood plains and swamps. Non-native to New Mexico.

Discussion
This is a popular shade tree due to is rapid growth. However, its form is not generally pleasing because its brittle branches are easily broken in windstorms. Sugar can be obtained from the sweetish sap, but yield is low.