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Striped maple identification: leaves, bark, fruit and twigs
Striped maple, Acer pensylvanicum, is a native tree in Pennsylvania. How to recognize it by its leaves, bark, fruit and twigs, and how to tell it from look-alikes.
Opposite, simple leaves with toothed edges. Large, roundish leaves 5 to 8 inches long with three shallow lobes at the top, like a goose foot, and finely toothed edges. Bark: Smooth green bark with bold white vertical stripes on young stems; reddish brown on older ones. Checked Nov. 14, 2026.
How to identify striped maple
| Leaf type | Opposite, simple leaves with toothed edges |
|---|---|
| Leaves | Large, roundish leaves 5 to 8 inches long with three shallow lobes at the top, like a goose foot, and finely toothed edges. |
| Bark | Smooth green bark with bold white vertical stripes on young stems; reddish brown on older ones. |
| Fruit | Wide-spreading pairs of winged seeds 3/4 to 1 inch long in hanging clusters, ripe late summer into fall. |
| Twigs | Smooth green twigs that turn red or reddish brown. |
| Size and shape | Understory small tree or large shrub up to about 30 feet. |
From the Virginia Tech Dendrology fact sheet, in our own words.
Is striped maple native to Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) lists striped maple as native to Pennsylvania.
See all 140 trees, with a 4-question identifier, in our Pennsylvania tree identification guide.
Trees that look like striped maple
| Tree | Its leaves |
|---|---|
| Mountain maple Acer spicatum | Opposite, simple leaves with toothed edges. Leaves 3 to 4 inches long with 3 (sometimes 5) short lobes and coarse teeth, a bit hairy underneath. |
| Red maple Acer rubrum | Opposite, simple leaves with lobes. Leaves 2 to 4 inches long with 3 to 5 lobes, toothed edges and shallow notches; whitish underneath. |
Compare the leaves first, then the bark, fruit and twigs on each tree’s page.
Other maples in Pennsylvania
Boxelder (Acer negundo), Black maple (Acer nigrum), Silver maple (Acer saccharinum), Sugar maple (Acer saccharum), Norway maple (Acer platanoides), Sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus), Amur maple (Acer ginnala).
Questions
How do you identify striped maple?
Look for opposite, simple leaves with toothed edges. Large, roundish leaves 5 to 8 inches long with three shallow lobes at the top, like a goose foot, and finely toothed edges. Bark: Smooth green bark with bold white vertical stripes on young stems; reddish brown on older ones.
Is striped maple native to Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) lists striped maple as native to Pennsylvania.
How big does striped maple get?
Understory small tree or large shrub up to about 30 feet.
How can you tell striped maple in winter?
Check the twigs and bark. Twigs: Smooth green twigs that turn red or reddish brown. Bark: Smooth green bark with bold white vertical stripes on young stems; reddish brown on older ones.
What tree looks like striped maple?
Mountain maple, Red maple. Compare the leaves first.
Sources: Virginia Tech Dendrology (Acer pensylvanicum fact sheet); Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, PA Vascular Plant List (native or introduced status). Checked Nov. 14, 2026.
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