Other Common Names/Trade Names: Soft maple
Scientific Name: Acer rubrum
Best Single Characteristic for Identification: Rays wider than pores.
Uses: Lower grade lumber, furniture, flooring, pulp.
General Natural Range: Entire eastern U.S. east of Minnesota and eastern Texas. Extends as far north as New Brunswick, and southern Quebec and Ontario
Identical or Nearly Identical Species: Silver maple, box-elder, bigleaf maple
Other Species Easily Confused With: Sugar maple, black maple, birches
Means of Distinguishing Similar Species : Wood darker and more apt to be streaked than sugar or black maple. Bigleaf maple wood typically has a pinkish cast to it. Birches have pores wider than rays.