Acer saccharum, commonly known as Sugar Maple, is a large deciduous tree native to eastern and central North America. It typically grows 20 to 35 meters (65 to 115 feet) tall and is known for its dense, rounded crown and vibrant fall foliage, which ranges from yellow to deep orange and red. The leaves have five lobes with smooth, U-shaped sinuses, and the tree produces paired, horseshoe-shaped samaras that mature in the fall. Sugar Maple thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soils and prefers full sun to partial shade. It is a keystone species in northern hardwood forests and is highly valued for its strong, fine-grained wood and the sap used to produce maple syrup.