Some characteristics to distinguish between Acer platanoides and Acer saccharum
| Plant part |
Acer platanoides
Norway Maple |
Acer saccharum
Sugar Maple |
| Leaf blade | 5-lobed, sharp pointed | 3-5-lobed, round pointed |
| Petiole, when removed from stem | Exudes a milky sap | No sap visible |
| Fruit (samara) | Large, wide spreading, nearly horizontal | Smaller, horseshoe-shaped |
| Bark | Narrow ridges with shallow furrows | Irregular, fairly wide ridges, sometimes scaly |
| Terminal buds | Large, rounded, plump | Smaller, sharp pointed |
