Environment Planet Earth How to Identify Maple, Sycamore, Yellow-Poplar, and Sweetgum Leaves Here's how you tell a maple leaf from a sycamore leaf—and more By Steve Nix Steve Nix Writer University of Georgia Steve Nix is a member of the Society of American Foresters and a former forest resources analyst for the state of Alabama. Learn about our editorial process Updated September 7, 2024 Auttapol Sangsub/Getty Images Planet Earth Outdoors Weather Conservation Maple tree leaves are distinct, but that shape doesn't belong to this tree's leaves alone—many broadleaf trees have maple-like leaves. Like the maple tree, several broadleaf trees have leaves whose ribs or veins radiate out from a single stalk or petiole attachment in a palmate pattern (that is, the lobes resemble a set of fingers). Some refer to these leaves as having a "star" form or a maple-like silhouette. Because the leaves of these species can look so similar, it may be hard to tell exactly what you're looking at. Examining the leaves more closely can help you identify them. Here's an overview of what to look for when identifying maple, sycamore, yellow poplar, and sweetgum trees. The list below includes descriptions of each tree's leaves and information on where you'll find the trees. 1 of 4 Maple Leaves Gereon Zwosta / EyeEm / Getty Images The major maples have leaves divided into three to five lobes, each less than four inches in size and with an opposite leaf arrangement. Other trees with "maple-like" leaves—the sycamore, sweetgum, and yellow poplar—have leaves that are alternate in arrangement. The maple is a genus with about 128 different species, including the vine maple (Acer circinatum), hornbeam maple (Acer carpinifolium), and paperbark maple (Acer griseum). Most maple trees are between 30 and 150 feet tall and have yellow, orange, red, or green flowers. Maples are among the most shade-tolerant deciduous trees and thrive in areas with cooler temperate climates, such as Canada and the northern United States. However, you can also find them in Europe and Asia, where some varieties—including the Japanese maple and the field maple—are grown as decorative bonsai trees. Because of their beautiful coloring, people often grow maples as ornamental trees. They also use the trees for their syrup, especially in North America where the maple leaf appears on the Canadian flag. 2 of 4 Sycamore Leaves Melanie Hobson / EyeEm / Getty Images Like maple leaves, sycamore leaves are divided into three to five shallow lobes. However, when mature, those lobes extend beyond four inches in size. Like the sweetgum and yellow poplar, the sycamore has leaves that are alternate in arrangement. Sycamore trees are also distinguished by their large patches of smooth bark, which has a creamy "camo" appearance from its mix of yellow, tan, and gray. Where the bark isn't smooth, it's usually rough and flaky, resembling a layer of broken scales. Sycamores are often found in humid continental climates, especially in wetlands and areas near rivers and streams. In North America, their range extends from Ontario to Florida. Sycamores include a variety of tree species, ranging from the Old World sycamore (Platanus orientalis) to the American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) to the California sycamore (Platanus racemosa). As a whole, sycamores are members of the genus Planatus, a species commonly known as plane trees. They're typically grown as ornamental trees, and sycamore wood is used to make furniture, boxes, and crates. 3 of 4 Yellow-Poplar Leaves Marina Denisenko / Getty Images Yellow poplar leaves are flat and slightly lobed and appear to be trimmed across the top, with two deeper lobes on either side of the midrib (the primary rib or central vein). This "trimmed" top helps distinguish the leaves from those of maples and sycamores. In profile, the leaves of the yellow poplar look like tulips. For this reason, the tree is also known as the tulip tree. Leaves are typically greenish-yellow and sometimes orange. The yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) is the tallest eastern hardwood tree. It's native to North America and found along the East Coast from Connecticut to northern Florida. The tree can thrive in many climates, though it prefers direct sunlight. It's often used in landscaping and the production of honey. A 133-foot yellow poplar known as the Queens Giant, or the Alley Pond Giant, is believed to be the oldest living thing in New York City. The tree is located in Alley Pond Park in Queens and is visible from Interstate 495. 4 of 4 Sweetgum Leaves jopstock / Getty Images Sweetgum leaves are star-shaped with five (sometimes seven) long, pointed lobes whose veins connect to a notched base. They range in color from green to yellow to deep red. The sweetgum produces greenish flowers covered with fine hairs, and its fruit resembles small "sticker balls" or "burr balls," which are eaten by birds and chipmunks. Species of sweetgum trees are found around the world, from North America (Liquidambar styraciflua) to China (Liquidambar acalycina) to Greece and Turkey (Liquidambar orientalis). They grow best in temperate climates with distinct seasons.