To accurately identify maple trees, focus on their distinguishing characteristics such as leaves, bark, and fruit. Maple trees typically have leaves with pointed lobes and noticeable deep indentations between them., When learning how to identify a maple tree, remember to start with the leaves. You can then use those trees to learn the branches, twigs, bark, flowers/seeds, and shapes. Maple leaves have a very distinct look. The leaves are pointed and resemble hands., This article provides a list of 35 types of maple trees to help gardeners easily differentiate and identify them., Types of Maple Trees Identified. Maple Tree and Leaf Identification Chart, Pictures, and Different Types of Maple Trees' Growing Zones., Distinguishing between sugar and black maple is best done by comparing the leaf structure (particularly the number of lobes, droopiness and presence or absence of stipules along base of petiole) and by the degree of bumpiness of the twigs., 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.