In this deciduous forest in a winter fog all trees have lost their leaves, a small Oak excepted. At its right two slender tree trunks touch. Those are Montpellier Maples (Acer monspessulanum). A species that grows on some calcareous hillsides bur not everywhere.
No way to be mistaken, there are not that many trees that make so many small branches. They are mostly opposed and in other seasons carry small trilobed leaves.
In April Montpellier Maple makes small bundles of hanging flowers, and at the same time new leaves open.
No pollen-gatherer can be seen in this picture, but normally they are there, the flowers are very attractive for them.
Later on the flowers develop into winged fruits, called samaras. Here they are, in an autumn rain.