It is difficult to mistake this maple species for any other in this area. They have five deeply cut lobes and a narrow base for the terminal lobe. The underside of the leaf is a silver-white color. This coloration is easily seen at a distance when the wind blows and exposes the lower leaf surfaces. The silver maple is a tall tree with grayish older bark that tends to flake, leaving brown spots. The reddish twigs and blunt scaled buds are similar to those of the red maple. Broke twigs have an unpleasant odor. The sap is sweet, but less sugary than that of the sugar maple. The leaves can vary from 4 to 8 inches long. The tree normally grows 60-80 feet high, but 120-foot specimens are known. The trunk is normally 1-3 feet thick. The spring flowers are greenish or reddish.

The winged fruit is similar to that of other maples. It is a popular ornamental tree in cities and suburbs, though it must be pruned to prevent the growth of multiple trunks. The roots are known to invade sewer and water lines and can damage sidewalks. It is native to eastern North America but is less common in the far south and southeast. It is adaptable but often found along waterways, which explains its alternate common name water maple. The fall coloration is pale yellow, though the leaves drop fairly quickly after they turn color. The silver maple is a rapidly growing tree and has been proposed as a source for biofuels. The wood can be made into furniture, cabinets, musical instruments, boxes and tool handles. Wood pulp can also be made into paper.