In the fall, maples turn glorious bright reds, oranges, and yellows. But in order for their leaves to turn those gorgeous hues, the weather needs to cooperate. The weather conditions in the Great Smoky Mountains in mid October were dry and warm, conditions that kept the maple leaves from turning color. It looked like summer rather than fall while we were there. This maple has a few brown leaves and spots but is mostly bright green even though it was mid October and in other years it would probably be orange or red by this time. I think this tree is a Sugar Maple but it could be a Norway Maple and since my skills as an arborist are extremely limited, I could be very wrong. I was attracted to this tree because of its horizontal layers that seem to emerge from the forest and distinguish it even though it is not yet wearing its autumn coat.
