Red or Sugar Maple? Also forest study info, read please.

braad

Hello, over the next few weeks (months) I'll be conducting a forest composition study in the central PA area Zone 5b-6a region. I am a student at a university in the region and will be comparing the results of my research study to a similar one done in the same area in 1974. The goal of my study is to identify, measure, and classify each tree in a 50 x 100meter plot, divided into 20 sub-plots. I am decent with the identifications but thought this would be a good place among others to clarify anything I wasn't 100% sure of. Also I will be comparing and citing other articles so any information on journal resources or books on forest composition, especially in my area would be of great help to me. Additional pictures of trees and leaf specimens can be taken if anyone needs, but I'll try to get good ones up here on the first try. Thanks for any help and comments!

blair duncanson

Between the two i would say Acer saccharum. Definately not Acer rubrum. Similair to saccharum is Acer platanoides, distinguished by leaf tips being pointy but rounded on the saccharum, whereas finer and more whiskery on platanoides.
Good luck with your project, sounds interesting.

kiwi_tree_steve

I Agree, definatly not Acer rubrum, A. saccharum would be my pick, with the silvery underside, silver maple is another common name for A saccharum.

__________________
"You have to feel and touch a tree" Shigo

fosheezy

just be aware there is A. saccharinum (Silver Maple), and A. saccharum (Sugar Maple) - diff species.

my initial thought is a hybrid of A. rubrum and A. saccharinum because the lobes aren't deep enough for A. saccharinum and the serrations are more prominent than A. rubrum.

After saying that, both A. rubrum and A. saccharinum have silvery undersides so unless it is some hybrid, it may be neither of those species.

Doesnt look like A. saccharum (Sugar) or A. platanoides (Norway). Sorry I've probably dismissed more plants than I've suggested but I'd rather remain unsure about a species than to label it incorrectly.

*edit* just reading over the thread title again if you have difinitively narrowed it down to Red or Sugar Maple; I'd say Red Maple 90% and Sugar Maple 10% probability... and 10% Silver Maple.

peace out hombre.

aphid

Posting a picture of the bark of the tree would take the mystery out this tree.

kiwi_tree_steve

[quote=fosheezy;34642]just be aware there is A. saccharinum (Silver Maple), and A. saccharum (Sugar Maple) - diff species.

My bad thanks fro pointing it out bro.

__________________
"You have to feel and touch a tree" Shigo