Size: tree, 40-60' average height at maturity
Buds: terminal with about 6 exposed bright-green scales (unlike A. platanoides), often with dark brown border, fringe of hairs on edge of each scale, accessory buds usually absent at twig tips, laterals have imbricate scales (unlike A. platanoides)
Leaves: deciduous, opposite, up to 6" wide and long, simple, 3-5 ovate lobes, each with a few coarse serrations, dark green above, greenish white below, leathery leaf
Twigs: gray-brown, leaf scars do not meet (unlike A. platanoides)
Flowers: monoecious, yellow-green, upright 2-4" clusters that droop as fruit develop
Fruit: double samara, each side up to 2"
Bark: grayish, squarish scales that flake off to reveal brownish orange inner bark
