These whorled patterns on the bark of Red Maple are my own shortcut to identifying this tree. When I'm looking at a large, mature tree the leaves are often 80 feet in the air and its tough to tell the difference based on the leaves.The opposite branching pattern is enough to tell me its a maple but then I have to figure out if its Red Maple or Sugar Maple. That's when I depend on the bark. These whorled markings remind me of "fingerprints". These "fingerprints" are not often this obvious on Red Maples but they are usually there if you look closely. Red Maple "fingerprints" are a great shortcut to identifying this tree.
I have heard these markings referred to as "fish scales". Might help some picture them more clearly. I find the bark on red maple flakes off easily whereas the bark on sugar maple is hard to pry off. This is a relative thing so not easy for those who need to compare and can't.
By taking binoculars and looking up at the leaves you can see if the tree is a
red maple: indentations are v-shaped
or a sugar maple: indentations are rounded
This link can help you see the leaves.
By taking binoculars and looking up at the leaves you can see if the tree is a
red maple: indentations are v-shaped
or a sugar maple: indentations are rounded
This link can help you see the leaves.
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