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I’ve been documenting trees around Lake Musconetcong in Stanhope, NJ as part of a long-term backyard ecology and tree shaping project. This week I came across a maple with unusually deep orange foliage and a compact, expressive form.

I shared a short video on my TreesWizard channel asking viewers to identify the species. In past posts, I’ve featured Korean pine and Himalayan cedar, but this one’s a bit trickier. The leaf shape and bark offer clues, and I’d love to hear what others think.

If you’re into tree ID, fall color variation, or working with resilient species in northeastern climates, feel free to take a look and share your thoughts. I’ve added the self-promotion flair since the video is mine, but the goal is to spark discussion and learn from others in the community.

Thanks in advance for any insights or guesses.

I’m in subtropical NZ, in a location that is prone to both drought, storms and flooding. My (suburban, 1/4 acre) property is on higher ground on an approx 30 degree slope so don’t have issues with water pooling, but I’m interested in how you balance the desire to retain every drop of rain that falls in the landscape with the reality that sometimes there will be far too many drops and they do actually need to run off somewhere.

Our soil is clay that goes from waterlogged in winter and spring to cracked and bone dry in summer. Priorities are obviously improving the soil structure and loading up on carbon and biochar to absorb water and nutrients, but what would you do regarding other water retaining measures such as swales, terracing, etc? I believe swales shouldn’t be used on slope over 15 degrees, and you don’t want them too close to retaining walls either.

The dichotomy between drought and humid, wet years makes it hard to plan to grow either drought or water tolerant plants as we can’t always anticipate which it’ll be.

What would you do?

Pardon the Alliteration. An old Ash that was killed by EAB was cut down on my property. The wood has spelting and is varied in density between solid, and a Turnip(rutabaga) unfortunately no woodstove. My Hugel beds are almost done so these aren’t all necessary. After the brush piles have been built up theres still a lot of cordwood. May burn some out to make pots and nesting boxes but would still be left with more. I have a froe, splitting axe, wedges, and have access to a chainsaw if necessary. Would Love to hear peoples wild ideas/dreams, log and stump too!

What would you do?

Pardon the Alliteration. An old Ash that was killed by EAB was cut down on my property. The wood has spelting and is varied in density between solid, and a Turnip(rutabaga) unfortunately no woodstove. My Hugel beds are almost done so these aren’t all necessary. After the brush piles have been built up theres still a lot of cordwood. May burn some out to make pots and nesting boxes but would still be left with more. I have a froe, splitting axe, wedges, and have access to a chainsaw if necessary. Would Love to hear peoples wild ideas/dreams, log and stump too!

What would you do?

Pardon the Alliteration. An old Ash that was killed by EAB was cut down on my property. The wood has spelting and is varied in density between solid, and a Turnip(rutabaga) unfortunately no woodstove. My Hugel beds are almost done so these aren’t all necessary. After the brush piles have been built up theres still a lot of cordwood. May burn some out to make pots and nesting boxes but would still be left with more. I have a froe, splitting axe, wedges, and have access to a chainsaw if necessary. Would Love to hear peoples wild ideas/dreams, log and stump too!