WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST
The bark of most trees–like a human’s face–change or “patina” over time. Young sugar maple appears smooth with few ridges and valleys. Middle aged sugar maple has typical ridge and valley bark throughout; The ridges run lengthwise along the trunk. As sugar maple enter into “old-growth” status, the bark begins to flake in every direction. This sugar maple could be somewhere between 130 and 200 years old. Maybe older.
May the Forest Be with You,
Ryan Trapani
Director of Forest Services
Catskill Forest Association