| Sugar Maple is a large tree, fairly common in the Mountains of North Carolina, rare as a native in the Piedmont (where generally associated with diabase sills or other areas with basic bedrock), and also a rare escape from cultivation in the Piedmont. It is also commonly planted throughout the state because of its brilliant fall colors and attractive form. Emerging leaves. Penny's Bend, Durham Co., NC 4/11/09.
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| The leaves often have reddish petioles. Granville Co., NC 5/25/09.
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| Caswell Co., NC 5/30/10.
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| Leaf undersides are glaucous and usually completely hairless. Caswell Co., NC 5/30/10.
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| Another example from the upper Piedmont. Uwharrie River slopes, Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.
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| Uwharrie River slopes, Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.
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| Uwharrie River slopes, Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.
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| Sugar Maple is much more common in the Mountain region of NC. Madison Co., NC 5/11/08.
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| Granville Co., NC 4/27/08.
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| The leaves are similar to those of the Southern Sugar Maple (Acer floridanum), but average larger and undersides are either glabrous (smooth) or pubescent only on the veins. Granville Co., NC 4/27/08.
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| Granville Co., NC 4/27/08.
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| Detail of leaf underside, which is glaucous (whitened) and glabrous (hairless). The very similar Black Maple (Acer nigrum), rare in the Mountains, has yellowish-green pubescent leaf undersides. Granville Co., NC 4/27/08.
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| Typical glaucous and glabrous leaf underside. Granville Co., NC 5/25/09.
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| Branch detail. Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008.
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| Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.
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| The bark of young trees is smooth, but it is broken into plates on older trees. Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.
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| Bark of a small tree. Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008.
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| Bark of a medium-sized tree. Uwharrie River slopes, Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.
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| Bark of a large tree. Granville Co., NC 4/27/08.
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| Bark of another large tree. Penny's Bend, Durham Co., NC 4/11/09.
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| Penny's Bend, Durham Co., NC 4/11/09.
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More information:
Bioimages
NC State
USDA Silvics Manual
U Connecticut
Virginia Tech Dendrology
Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides
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