maple (Acer species)
Maple twigs are fairly thin, with opposite leaf scars, and a true terminal bud. They can be differentiated from those of the also opposite-leaved ashes (genus Fraxinus) by having V-shaped leaf scars that nearly meet across the twig. It is most evident on the lateral leaf scars.
Sugar maple twig, showing the narrow leaf scars.
Maple bud scales are arranged in an IMBRICATE (overlapping) fashion, but the number of scales varies from species to species. The twig of sugar maple, Acer saccharum, has has a pointed terminal bud with about 8 pairs of scales, giving it a very shingled appearance.
Sugar maple twig tip.
Norway maple (Acer plananoides), by contrast, has a blunt, broadly triangular terminal bud with only a few pairs of bud scales. They are usually deep purple.
Norway maple terminal buds are broadly triangular,
with only a few pairs of bud scales.
Red maple.
Red maple twig
Silver maple.
