The Silver Maple tree has broad leaves that are arranged in an opposite pattern on the branches. The structure of the leaves are simple with lobing. They tree gets it’s name from the silvery color on the bottom of the leaf. The leaves usually have around 5 lobes and they turn yellow in the fall.
This tree was actually found outside of the wetland area and I happened to see it as I was entering by the parking lot. The tree was not near any other tree and it seemed to be at least 30 ft. from any other tree, where the others seemed to overlap each other.
Something that I learned about the tree’s ecology was that it is one of 125 species in its family and that it has a wide variety of habitats that it can live in. It is one of 13 species that can be found across North America.
https://www.lakeforest.edu/academics/programs/environmental/courses/es203/acer_saccharinum.php
This tree was easily recognizable as a maple, but I did not realize the variety, and it was not till I consulted my field guide that I realized there was more than one maple tree an I could have easily passed many more species.
Ohio Plants, EEOB 2210