They may be narrow and columnar, wide spreading and round-headed or low and mounded.
Growth rate is varied, depending on the species.
Many are noted for their large size and are used as shade trees, while others are valued for their delicacy and are used as accents. Some species have showy red flowers that appear in late winter before the leaves emerge in the spring. Others are characterized by interesting bark features. The fruit is a winged samara, characteristic of all maples. Commonly called a key, it consists of a pair of compressed bony nutlets joined together, each with an elongated, membranous wing.