Almost without exception, maples produce spectacular fall colors. Hedge rows in Europe are often composed of a small, shrubby species of maple, A. campestre . Economically the trees are noted for their fine wood. Lumber and veneer commonly come of these trees. As the wood is often hard, it makes excellent flooring.
Maple is often the wood of choice for fine musical instruments, gunstocks, and similar produces.
Fine furniture is often made of maple burr wood. The sap of the sugar maple, Acer saccharum , makes the finest syrup, and as a source of fall color, few exceed this species. Maples are also important components of the forest communities, being a sub-dominate in various parts of the Northern Hemisphere.