How can I identify Maples in CT in winter?

[Sugar Bear]

I can show you hundreds upon hundreds of Norway maples around Vermont. I'd start with a 30 minute walk around my Essex Junction neighborhood for the first 50 (including a few of the Crimson King cultivore of the Norway). Took a car trip yesterday from South Burlington to a bit below Addison down route 7 and then 22A and saw Norways scattered all the way down, although the farther south I got, the fewer norways and the more sugars I saw. At 50mph (and I wasn't going a penny over of course), it was easier to spot the crimsons but spotted some green-leafed ones as well. They tend to be planted around residences. Hopefully they are mainly not found in the woods, but that's the fear. If they get into the woods they may take over if someone doesn't make sure they don't.

They do fit your description. If you can get close enough to one to pull a leaf, you can also verify for certain (if you've narrowed it to sugar or Norway) by observing the color of sap that comes out of the stem. Clear sap, its a sugar maple, white sap, its a Norway.

Side note: this was my first time driving by Shelburne Museum with my maple-colored glasses on. That place is loaded with sugar maple beauties! Someone needs to set up a working bucket-based sugarhouse exhibit over there! If they haven't already.... (again that was my drive-by assessment... closer to 40mph for that one I think...)

Andy

Andy

I would guess that nearly all ornamentals can be found in the urban lower valleys of Vermont. Especially a prolific tree like the Norwegian. Just have not spent any time watching any in VT as most of my time is spent in the upland valleys and ridges where I suppose there are some, just have not taken notice of them. For example, I have yet to notice a Norwegian from Granville Gulch in Vermont all the way up to Middlesex along I 89. Not saying there are none, just have not spent time watching the carrying on of any. And for certain there are not a lot in that zone of the Route 100 valley.

In about 1991 ish I tried to make syrup from some Norwegians in NY and I got some pretty violent splattering/popping in the pan as it got even slightly close to syrup.

Rather than show me or help me identify Norwegians in Vermont, which I could probably now identify blind folded if need be, I would rather you tell me your opinion of making syrup with Norwegian Maple sap. Works??? ... does not work???? ... works OK????

Rob