a different maple id

[Evan Sussman]

I believe these are some type of gall on the leaf. Is that the correct term?

 

[Evan Sussman]

another picture

 

[Evan Sussman]

picture of trunk

 

[tomthetreeman]

Looks like Acer spicatum, Mountain Maple. Insect gall is the correct term for the little scar tissue bumps on the leaf.

It's not the typical leaf form (strongly 3 pointed), but the leaves can vary quite a bit. Texture and venation look right.

-Tom

 

[Evan Sussman]

Thanks Tom,

I googled Acer spicatum, and it does look it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acer_spicatum

There's a picture on wikipedia of A. spicatum with mostly red leaves. Should I expect this as the season progresses to fall? Now that I know I should be looking for fruit 2-3cm I'll take a closer look.

 

[tomthetreeman]

If indeed it is that, I don't think they are known for their fall color... It's not a specimen tree, more of a woodsy tree.

 

[Evan Sussman]

Alright,

Thanks for the heads up Tom.

 

[chep]

If you are in Washington, then its is likely Acer glabrum. Western mountain maple. Which I have seen in pretty spectacular color. Particularly in the Juinta range in Utah.
I remember the species from the Seattle area, but never saw it in autumn, so I cannot comment on your exact locale.

 

[Evan Sussman]

Thanks for that one too Chep, I'll look into that one too.

Does anyone know of a site that has specific if characteristics for species?

Most of the site I've found on google just have a couple measurements, but not consistently between species to do any kind of comparison.

 

[treemaninmo]

You to buy a Copy of a book by Michael Dirr
Called Dirr's manual of woody landscape plants, our something to that effect.
It has every tree you can think of in it and gives you all pertinent info you need to deduce what type of tree you are wondering about.
Or you could do an internet search for a"tree key"and with that it will ask what type of leaf structure, ie simple or compound, then if you answer a it will take you to the next question after working you way thru the"key"it will tell you the type of tree
Helpful for family and genus, sometimes cultivar
if you need to find out info on trees the Dirr manual is the best book any tree guy/gal can own


There is a lot to ciphering the difference between two very similar trees


Hope this help s
God bless

PS the book new is not cheap but well worth 80