Which tree is the national symbol of Canada and appears on its flag?

The tree that serves as Canada’s national symbol and appears on its flag is the maple, a member of the genus Acer. The flag displays a stylized maple leaf rather than a leaf from one officially specified maple species.

Maples have deep cultural roots in Canada. The leaf became a national emblem during the 19th century, appearing on military badges, provincial coats of arms, coins, and patriotic imagery. It was added to Canada’s coat of arms in 1921, decades before the present flag was adopted on February 15, 1965.

The flag’s red maple leaf has 11 points. That number does not represent Canada’s provinces or territories; the design was selected after wind-tunnel testing to produce a clear image in strong wind. The leaf’s shape was modeled largely on the sugar maple, Acer saccharum, although the national symbol refers broadly to maple.

The maple is sometimes confused with the sugar maple specifically. Sugar maple is especially important for Canadian forests and maple syrup, but the flag’s symbol is the generic maple leaf, making the stored answer “Maple (Acer)” the canonical one.