Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple)

Native to eastern and central North America, this deciduous tree develops a dense, spreading crown and can reach 50 to 120 feet tall. Its autumn foliage turns yellow, orange or red. Drooping clusters of yellow flowers appear in spring, followed by paired winged fruits. The sweet sap is tapped and boiled to make maple syrup, and the hard wood is used for flooring and furniture. It is sensitive to road salt, soil compaction and urban air pollution. Photographed in Washington, DC.