North America, Asia, Europe, and northern Africa. There are over 100 recognized species of Acer, with a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and leaf colors. Here are some of the most common and interesting Acer species: Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum): A large, majestic tree native to eastern North America. It's well known for its beautiful fall foliage, which turns brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow. Sugar maple sap is also used to produce maple syrup. Red Maple (Acer rubrum): Another widespread maple in North America, known for its vibrant red fall leaves. It's a medium- sized tree that can tolerate a wider range of soil conditions than sugar maple. Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum): A fast- growing tree with distinctive silvery-white undersides to its leaves. It's often planted as an ornamental tree but can be short-lived and susceptible to storm damage. Norway Maple (Acer platanoides): A popular ornamental tree native to Europe and western Asia. It has large, green leaves that turn yellow to orange in fall. Norway maple is known for its dense shade and tolerance for pollution, making it a common choice for urban landscapes. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum): A smaller, delicate tree prized for its ornamental value. Japanese maples come in a wide variety of cultivars with stunning leaf shapes and colors, including red, orange, purple, and green. Boxelder Maple (Acer negundo): A fast- growing, adaptable tree native to North America. It has greenish-yellow flowers and winged seeds. Boxelder maple is not as visually appealing as other maples, but it can tolerate harsh conditions and is a good choice for erosion control. Amur Maple (Acer ginnala): A small, multi- stemmed tree or shrub native to eastern Asia. It's known for its bright red fall foliage and is a popular choice for bonsai cultivation. Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum): A fascinating tree with peeling cinnamon- colored bark that exposes a papery layer underneath. It's native to central China and is a relatively rare species in cultivation. This is just a small sampling of the many Acer species. With their diverse shapes, sizes, and foliage colors, there's sure to be a maple tree perfect for any landscape.