Acer nigrum, or Black Maple, is a medium to large-sized, deciduous tree native to the central and eastern United States and parts of southeastern Canada, thriving in rich, moist upland forests and along stream banks. It is recognized by its typically 3-lobed, dark green leaves with drooping margins that feel thick and slightly leathery, often turning striking yellow to orange in autumn, and rough, deeply furrowed, dark gray to black bark on mature trees. Its key diagnostic feature is the paired samaras (winged seeds) with widely divergent wings, usually maturing in early autumn. This species typically grows as a single-trunked tree, reaching heights of 20-30 meters (65-100 feet).
