A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2007 What is this tree????

I've been dying to know the name of this tree since discovering it in my woods. There are lots of baby ones around now too, and I'm thinking of putting some out on the front part of the property. It seems to have grown very fast in the last two years, and I want to know if it's too aggresive to put in the yard. The bark on it is the coolest part because it is smooth as a baby's bottom, so beautiful. The leaves are huge and it did flower, a kind of chartreuse dangly thing.

A close-up of the super smooth bark.



A thumbnail of the leaf:



A regular sugar maple leaf on top of mystery leaf for comparison:



The whole tree:

Could it be an eastern sycamore?
Eastern Sycamore

Joanne

Thank you, Joanne, the leaf is right and the growth habits sound right too, but the bark doesn't add up. This bark is not flaky at all, as described.
Maybe because it's young still??

The bark now is super smooth.

I wondered about the bark too. We have several big ones here but all have the flakey bark. I'll look around and see if I can find a young one to compare. I'll let you know if I find anything. In the mean time, I'm sure someone who knows more will come along and give you some help.

Joanne

Striped Maple Acer pennsylvanicum

I agree, it's a striped maple.

That's it EXACTLY!!!!!

Striped maple is also called Moosewood. I dunno' why Around here they are commonly planted at new homes because they grow fast into large mature looking trees. When it gets old the more mature bark will be rougher.
(Had one in my backyard of my old home)

My Audobon Society Field Guide to North American trees Eastern Region ( a must-have book for anyone) helped me on this one -- I've never come across a striped maple-- and did a
google image search for my reply.

Seems like this tree would be the one to run for in a rain shower, though, judging by the size of its leaves.

Wrennie, when I looked it up it said that the moose like to eat the leaves! And something did do a number on a few of the leaves on one side. It's right in a deer crossing anyway, it was probably deer. There has been moose around the yard too before, but haven't seen one in a few years...........

Neko , that sounds like a great book! Maybe I should get one.............although now I don't really have to because I've got you to look things up for me!!!

I love this tree and it has sent up some nice lil babies around . I think I'm going to try to dig a few up and try them out in the landscape!

And yes, it would be a great place to hide from the rain! LOL

You're welcome anytime, Mel; I have the Field Guides for wildflowers and birds,too . You know who to call now !!