Other Common Names/Trade Names: Hard maple
Scientific Name:  Acer saccharum
Best Characteristics for Identification: Rays wider than pores.
Uses: Veneer, lumber, furniture, cabinets, flooring, pulp
General Natural Range: Minnesota south to Arkansas. East to the Appalachian Mountains. North through all of New England, southern Quebec and Ontario, and the Canadian Maritimes.
Identical or Nearly Identical Species: Black maple
Other Species Easily Confused With: Red maple, bigleaf maple, birches
Means of Distinguishing Similar Species : Wood is typically lighter in color than red maple. Bigleaf maple typically has a pinkish cast to it. Birches have pores wider than the rays.