mountain maple

Mountain Maple Acer spicatum
Family: Aceraceae (Maple)
Branching: Opposite

Usually this maple doesn't grow to tree size, but stays small in the understory of the forest. It probably resembles Red/Silver Maple the most, but is easily differentiated by it's velvety-hairy twigs and, in the summer, large rounded "teeth". In the Maple group, this is the one most likely confused with a Dogwood, specifically Roundleaf. Striped Maple can look similar, but Mountain Maple twigs are always covered with a fine velvet.

Notice how the twigs are reddish, but the buds have fewer scales than Red/Silver Maple, and are velvety

A better look at the finely velvety twigs

Mature bark