Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Some more fall color, 1 by Decumbent

Decumbent wrote:
Hi David,

I've never been any good at figuring out the differences between red and sugar maples, so you are probably right. Tell me how to tell them apart. I always kind of fudged it and called three-lobers (as in the 2nd pic) a sure Acer rubrum, and five-lobers a sugar, knowing full-well there'd be times when I'd be wrong. I am, however, 90% certain that three-lober with the good red color is indeed a red maple. Now, toss in black maples (Acer nigrum) and I'm really lost! Where's VV when I need him?

Escambia,

You'd be proud of me. On a gloomy, blustery, cold day I went back to that park on my way home from work forgoing a few extra minutes watching my beloved Bengals (whom I was certain would lose, but indeed did win) to visit that elm-like tree. Fact is, it indeed is an American Elm, quite large and stately and seemingly in good health. Of all the hundreds of times I have been to that park, I had never noticed that tree before. Strange. Here is a picture of the elm at Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, which is the biggest I know of, although there are many large elms in this area. I believe this tree is the State Champion. This photo is from earlier this summer.

Scott