Size: tree, 50-70' average height at maturity, 35-50' spread
Buds: resemble A. rubrum, blunt-tipped, red-brown, usually 4-6 visible scales, fringe of hairs on margin of each scale, slightly pointed, flower buds often clustered around vegetative bud
Leaves: deciduous, opposite, 3-7" long and wide, usually conspicuously larger than A. rubrum, simple, 5 lobes, sinuses very deep, lobes acuminate with large sharp teeth, medium green on top, silvery or grayish underside, greenish yellow in fall
Twigs: conspicuous rank odor when broken, especially in spring
Flowers: usually monoecious, but male or female flowers often dominate, no petals, greenish yellow to red
Fruit: double samara, fruit ripens, falls, and usually germinates in spring
Bark: gray or gray-brown longitudinal strips and plates
