Help Identify These Leaves Please
- Thread starter npalen
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MAN IN BLACK
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Looks like silver maple maybe...picture of the bark and tree of both species would help.
Luke'sScreenName
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Also many trees have juvenile and adult foliage. Not sure if maples do...
OP
npalen
Elite Member
Did some research meanwhile and I'm fairly sure that the bottom leaf is sugar maple. The large leaf at the top seems to come up as Norway maple but not 100% sure. It's a "juvenile" probably ten years younger than the sugar maple.
Any input is appreciated.
Any input is appreciated.
mjw357
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Top one is sugar maple.
KYErik
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I agree with the others that the top leaf is a sugar maple
/pine
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Just a suggestion...There are several phone Aps out there that let you send a picture of leaves or bark or blooms, fruit etc...and it will scan the database and ID about any tree...one such ap is called "leafsnap"...there are others
Sugar maple and Norway maple look a lot alike, but you can tell them from each other this way:
Pull a leaf off and look at the end of the stem. If the sap that oozes out is white, it is a Norway. Clear and it is not, and if the shape is the same probably a sugar. Around here, Norway maples are considered invasive and not allowed to be sold in stores. They grow fast, produce lots of seeds, and have poor structure in their growth habits. Some cities like them because they are pollution tolerant. Most often people plant them because when they are still allowed to be sold, they are cheap (since they grow fast, and make lots of seeds).
Because sugar maples grow slower, and are often considered more desirable, they can be more expensive. They can also be fussier about soil and water conditions, a little less drought tolerant than some.
I say pull a leaf off of each and look at the sap, it will at least tell you if he simply gave you the cheapest thing he could could get, a Norway maple, and hoped you'd not know better. If both trees have white sap, shake his hand, he did just what you asked...if they are both clear sap, then he at least got you close.
Pull a leaf off and look at the end of the stem. If the sap that oozes out is white, it is a Norway. Clear and it is not, and if the shape is the same probably a sugar. Around here, Norway maples are considered invasive and not allowed to be sold in stores. They grow fast, produce lots of seeds, and have poor structure in their growth habits. Some cities like them because they are pollution tolerant. Most often people plant them because when they are still allowed to be sold, they are cheap (since they grow fast, and make lots of seeds).
Because sugar maples grow slower, and are often considered more desirable, they can be more expensive. They can also be fussier about soil and water conditions, a little less drought tolerant than some.
I say pull a leaf off of each and look at the sap, it will at least tell you if he simply gave you the cheapest thing he could could get, a Norway maple, and hoped you'd not know better. If both trees have white sap, shake his hand, he did just what you asked...if they are both clear sap, then he at least got you close.
OP
npalen
Elite Member
I installed the "leafsnap" ap and have now reversed my previous decision.
It does appear that the top leaf shown in the pic above is the Sugar Maple. The size of the Sugar Maple leaf is defined at 4 to 5 inches and that's about what they measure on our newest tree and the other features appear to match also.
So it appears that the tree we've had for about fifteen years is the Norway Maple rather than Sugar Maple that I thought it was.
I do appreciate all the feedback, everyone.