Rocky Mountain Maple (Acer glabrum), is sometimes known as Mountain maple, Douglas maple, Douglas Rocky Mountain maple, three leaf Rocky Mountain maple, and there are many more. It is a tree and a shrub that grows in the Western mountains, valleys, and along the coast. It is important browsing and cover for whitetail deer, moose, mule deer, and elk, as well as important habitat for small mammals and birds. It is also used in wetland restoration to stabilize slopes. The flexible stems are important to many American Indian tribes for making masks, toys, spears, drum hoops, and much more.
Height: 3-33 feet tall
Branching: Opposite
Leaves: Opposite with 3-5 lobes, coarsely toothed, turn bright red-orange to crimson in the fall
New Growth: Red to reddish-purple
Mature Bark: Grayish-brown
USDA PLANTS Database Link