Virginia Tech Dendrology

Rocky Mountain maple Aceraceae Acer glabrum Torr. symbol: ACGL
Leaf: Opposite, simple or compound varying widely across its range; in the northern part of its range it is simple with 3-5 serrated lobes; in the southern part of its range has much deeper sinuses and occasionally is compound with three leaflets; green above with lighter veins, slightly paler below.
Flower: Species is usually monoecious; yellow-green in small clusters.
Fruit: Two-winged samaras, one inch long, hanging in clusters and dry when mature.
Twig: Slender, pale green to red. Buds are red and pointed.
Bark: Thin, tight, smooth and gray.
Form: A small tree with slender, spreading branches and generally poor form, usually low branching
Looks like: sycamore maple - vine maple - boxelder - bigleaf maple

Additional Range Information: Acer glabrum is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Fall Color
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database - USDAFS Forest Products Lab
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information