Mountain Maple Acer spicatum
Family: Aceraceae (Maple)
Branching: Opposite
Usually this maple doesn't grow to tree size, but stays small in the
understory of the forest. It probably resembles Red/Silver Maple
the most, but is easily differentiated by it's velvety-hairy twigs and,
in the summer, large rounded "teeth". In the Maple group, this is
the one most likely confused with a Dogwood, specifically Roundleaf. Striped Maple can look similar, but Mountain Maple twigs are always covered with a fine velvet.
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Notice how the twigs are reddish, but the buds have fewer scales than Red/Silver Maple, and are velvety
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A better look at the finely velvety twigs
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Mature bark
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© 2007 Josh Sayers
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