Size: tree, 60-75' average height at maturity
Buds: sharp-pointed with 10-12 imbricate scales of contrasting colors, each scale dark brown on top, lighter below
Leaves: deciduous, opposite, 3-6" long and wide, simple, 3-5 lobes with acuminate tips, a few large rounded teeth on each lobe, medium to dark green on top, lighter and duller green underside (not shiny like A. platanoides), often rich yellows, golds, oranges, and reds in fall
Twigs: glabrous, conspicuous lenticels
Flowers: monoecious, lack petals, greenish yellow in hanging clusters, not very conspicuous
Fruit: double samara, appear in fall
Bark: dark gray or blackish, in long plates with edges that stand away from trunk
