maples Definition

any of a genus (Acer of the family Aceraceae, the maple family) of chiefly deciduous trees or shrubs with opposite leaves and a fruit of two united samaras; also : the hard light-colored close-grained wood of a maple used especially for flooring and furniture

wood of the sugar maple having a wavy grain that causes markings resembling eyes

sugar maple

a maple (Acer palmatum) of Japan, China, and Korea with purple flowers and usually deeply parted leaves that is widely cultivated as a shrub or small tree

a Eurasian maple (Acer platanoides) with dark green or often reddish or red veined leaves that is much planted for shade in the U.S.

a common tree (Acer rubrum) of eastern and central North America that grows chiefly in moist soils, has reddish twigs and flowers, and yields a lighter and softer wood than the sugar maple

sugar maple

a common maple (Acer saccharinum) of eastern North America with deeply cut 5-lobed leaves that are light green above and silvery white below

the hard close-grained but brittle light brown wood of the silver maple

a maple (Acer saccharum) of eastern North America with 3- to 5-lobed leaves, hard close-grained wood much used for cabinetwork, and sap that is the chief source of maple syrup and maple sugar —called also rock maple, hard maple

any of several maples (especially Acer nigrum and A. grandidentatum) often considered subspecies of the sugar maple

maple lumber having a distinct irregularly striped pattern and much used for furniture