Cate said:
It is definitely 110% maple...but Norway? Really? I wouldn't have guessed. That's not a maple variety mentioned much, if ever, in these parts. Thanks guys!
I bet Akron is polluted with Norway Maples just like the rest of the northeast and midwest are. They were the most popular shade tree in the nursery business for many years, and still are quite popular. Nowadays they are considered an invasive exotic weed and are on the noxious plant list for several states, I think, so they have become a little less popular with the nurseries. Nurseries aren't usually too concerned whether or not they are selling invasive plants, so you still see Norway Maples very commonly for sale. In addition to the many that were planted, it is very common to find them taking over urban and suburban woods.
Once the leaves come out, Norway Maple will have five-pointed leaves very similar to Sugar Maple, and unlike the leaves of Red Maple which have three main points and many small teeth along the edges. Break a leaf off of Norway Maple and you should see (or be able to squeeze out) a white milky sap. Sugar Maples have clear sap in the leaves.
