Glowing like a light bulb behind the Chronological Bed is an Italian maple, Acer opalus. This multi-stemmed tree sports a close-knit rounded canopy of bright gold leaves, palmate with blunt lobes, that is quickly overtaking the last vestiges of summer’s lime green foliage.
In late spring, the tree bears showy clusters of yellow-ish flowers but the fruits (winged samaras) are either already eaten, shed or not particularly conspicuous through the golden canopy.