The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Tree, Plant and Wood I.D. => Topic started by: Ga Mtn Man on August 11, 2012, 09:39:56 PM

Title: This will be an easy one for you tree guys...
Post by: Ga Mtn Man on August 11, 2012, 09:39:56 PM
Is it some kind of maple ???  Doesn't look like the other maples I have.  Located in N. GA. Mountains.


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/28750/IMG_0612.JPG) 

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/28750/IMG_0611.JPG)
Title: Re: This will be an easy one for you tree guys...
Post by: JohnW on August 12, 2012, 07:45:38 AM
That must be Sycamore, the leaf, the scalely bark, and the white bark.
Title: Re: This will be an easy one for you tree guys...
Post by: WDH on August 12, 2012, 07:46:18 AM
Platanus occidentalis.  American Sycamore.
Title: Re: This will be an easy one for you tree guys...
Post by: Ga Mtn Man on August 12, 2012, 10:23:29 AM
No, I'm pretty sure it's "some kind of maple"... ::) :-[

Thanks guys.
Title: Re: This will be an easy one for you tree guys...
Post by: clww on August 12, 2012, 10:35:05 AM
I'd bet it's a type of Sycamore.
Title: Re: This will be an easy one for you tree guys...
Post by: JohnW on August 12, 2012, 04:12:38 PM
Hey ga_mtn_man.  You might look for the seeds if you have any doubt, some type of maple or sycamore.  Sycamore has sycamore balls, usually a little smaller than a ping pong ball.  They're smooth and brown, and actually composed of white fuzz.  If all the fuzz is gone, I think what's left is sort of a sharp horny structure.  And all the maple trees that I know of have seeds with a flat wing where the whole thing would be a inch or so long, which varies by species.

I say sycamore balls are smooth, but they're not smooth like an apple, they're more smooth like sand paper, if that makes any sense.
Title: Re: This will be an easy one for you tree guys...
Post by: Ga Mtn Man on August 12, 2012, 04:20:43 PM
Thanks, John.

Please note the embarrassed eye-roll in my previous response. ;D
Title: Re: This will be an easy one for you tree guys...
Post by: JohnW on August 12, 2012, 04:26:25 PM
Hey ga_mtn_man, thanks.  I do appreciate a good joke, but I can be pretty slow sometimes.
Title: Re: This will be an easy one for you tree guys...
Post by: Ga Mtn Man on August 12, 2012, 04:35:23 PM
No worries.  Those little "smileys" don't always convey the meaning you intend.  And since we're friends, you can call me GMM. :)
Title: Re: This will be an easy one for you tree guys...
Post by: Okrafarmer on August 12, 2012, 05:23:33 PM
If you do that any MORE we'll be SYC'A it.
Title: Re: This will be an easy one for you tree guys...
Post by: Ga Mtn Man on August 12, 2012, 05:57:53 PM
 :D :D :D :D

Good one!
Title: Re: This will be an easy one for you tree guys...
Post by: WDH on August 13, 2012, 06:56:24 AM
GMM,

You took a nice picture, in focus, of the leaf in profile and with the bark in the background. 

Many people post a blurry pic of a tree from 50 feet away and want to know what it is.  I get it right 100% of the time......"A blurry pic of a tree from 50 feet away".  :)

You did good, GMM
Title: Re: This will be an easy one for you tree guys...
Post by: John Mc on August 16, 2012, 03:44:12 PM
Sycamore is also alternate-leaved, where Maple is opposite.  Your first photo shows the alternate structure nicely.
Title: Re: This will be an easy one for you tree guys...
Post by: WDH on August 16, 2012, 09:17:00 PM
The stipular scars also completely encircle the twig  :).
Title: Re: This will be an easy one for you tree guys...
Post by: Ga Mtn Man on August 16, 2012, 09:21:20 PM
Oh, come on now.  The picture isn't that good.  ::)
Title: Re: This will be an easy one for you tree guys...
Post by: WDH on August 16, 2012, 09:36:19 PM
You are right.  I used my imagination a little  ;D.  I have been there before.