Another pic

Along the driveway starting at the ditch

Maple - probably striped maple, Acer spicatum or A. pennsylvanicum.

They're seedlings, not saplings. Saplings are young trees a couple of years old. These have just germinated this year.

'Someone suggested they were trees'. You seem doubtful still. I suggested maple seedlings on the 16th and verified the id when you added a closer view.

Here is a link that might be useful: Your other post on weeds forum.

There's no maples anywhere on my street. I looked online and the pictures didn't look like a maple. I thought it was strange that so many of them are growing all of a sudden after years of owning the land. There is a Birch in the woods 200 feet or so away. Could it be that? If they are maple do they grow fast? The land was clear cut in areas so some trees are a welcome site. Thanks

They are maples. There is absolutely no 'if' about it. They are categorically not birch seedlings. Maple seeds are carried by the wind and can travel some distance. It's also possible, since they are along the sides of the drive, that they were carried there by rain run off. But however they got there, their identity, as to species at least, is certain.

I agree that they're probably striped maple. Maybe Red Maple as well - Acer rubrum - but definitely, no doubt whatsoever - those are maples.

Their samaras (some call them whirlybirds or helicopters) can travel quite a distance if the wind is right.

They are definitely maples.
Note the cotyledons, aka seed leaves.
Mike

Maybe the seeds got deposited there when the water in that ditch was running high. Definitely maples, though. Those are just the cotyledons and first true leaves. They will take on their full maple-ish shape later on, if they survive.

i would NOT encourage any maple.. that was so profligate in spreading seed that sprouts ... that easily .. in a ditch ... in my world.. they are weeds... and weed trees ...

you can do so much better.. even in the realm of maples ...

if you are googling the word maple.. you may never find anything relevant..

those above used specific latin names ... google those names... and you will learn much more...

ken