Phenology Visit #3!
By: Amelia Weeden
3/11/2023
This week, I returned to Centennial woods in search of a Red Maple. After only a few minutes of searching, I thought I had found it. However, it proved to be the first of many look-alikes I would encounter before finding a Red Maple.
If observed closely, it’s clear to see that this species is a look-alike. While it does have the distinct red bark, the bud lacks the correct structure and pigment, indicating that this is not a Red Maple.
After determining that my first find was a fake, I continued searching. However, I was met with another look-alike.
This time, the budding on the branch was very similar to that of a Red Maple, which is why I first thought it was one. However, noticeably absent from the branch is the distinct-red coloring that should be on the branch itself.
Finally, after an additional few minutes of searching, I found a Red Maple sapling. I was sure that this was a Red Maple as the bark was distinctively red, as was the bud. The bud was also the right structure and shape. The final indicator that proved this was a Red Maple was the opposite branching present through the buds on the twig.
