Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Sapindales>Aceraceae>Acer platanoides L.

Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) leaves

Norway Maple is medium-sized tree from Eurasia commonly planted as an ornamental and occasionally escapes from cultivation in North Carolina. In Virginia it is somewhat invasive. The specific epithet platanoides comes from the resemblance of the leaves to those of Platanus species, such as our American Sycamore.

Blacksburg, Montgomery Co., VA 7/13/07.

Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) leaves

Similar to Sugar Maple (A. saccharum), Norway Maple has a broader leaf shape. An easy way to identify Norway Maple is to break a petiole -- it should exude a milky sap.

Blacksburg, Montgomery Co., VA 7/13/07.

Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) leaf

Blacksburg, Montgomery Co., VA 7/13/07.

Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) bark

The bark is smoother than that of Sugar Maple, becoming ridged on larger trees, but not scaly.

Blacksburg, Montgomery Co., VA 7/13/07.

More information:
Invasive.org
University of Connecticut
Virginia Tech Dendrology
Wikipedia

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides