The black maple is native to the upper midwest, northeast United States and to southern Canada. It can reach a height of 75 feet and a width of 60 feet. It requires moist well-drained soils, but can tolerate dryer conditions that the straight species (A. saccharum). Tiny yellowish-green flowers appear in spring before the leaves emerge. The tree's winged fruit, or samaras, matures in the fall. Autumn color is highly variable, ranging from yellow or orange to red, but it is always outstanding.