Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Paperbark Maple or Korean Maple?, 1 by Decumbent

Decumbent wrote:
It is definitely Acer rubrum, red maple. There are two maples commonly called "soft maple," and they're both related--red maple and silver maple. So named because their lumber is a much softer wood than any other maple. Although related, silver maple leaves are not much like Acer rubrum leaves. It is sometimes tougher to differentiate between Acer rubrum leaves and sugar maple (Acer saccharum), but the toothed margins are a give-a-way--Acer rubrum.

Stiped maple (Acer pensylvanicum) leaves are completely different. Much bigger, more substantial, leathery-textured, and invariably three-lobed, although some red maples sport three lobes as opposed to the usual five. Pictured is an Acer pensylvanicum leaf (without the eye-strain gall ;0).

Scott