Winter twigs are moderate in diameter, light brown to orange brown in color, often with a pale waxy coating. The leaf scars are V-shaped, with 3 visible bundle scars. It occurs in eastern Iowa. It is the only hard maple found in western Iowa. They intergrade so freely that individuals, often cannot be distinguished even with the leaves.
Hard maples are very tolerant, slow growing, long lived with a wide-spreading lateral root system.
They occur naturally on a wide variety of sites, but prefer well drained, cool moist locations such as sheltered slopes facing to the north and east. Their common associates include basswood and red oak. Because of their tolerance to shade, they are often a primary understory component of Iowa's upland woodlands. Hard maples are a major contributor to Iowa's outstanding fall color. Colors vary from deep shades of orange, red and golden yellow.