Large tree with narrow or rounded, compact crown and red flowers, fruit, leafstalks, and autumn foliage. This popular ornamental tree grows 40-60 ft. in cultivation, occasionally reaching 100-120 ft. in the wild. Leaves vary from 3- to 5-lobed, with lobes separated by V-shaped angles. Male trees have notable pinkish red flowers in early spring, and females display decorative red samaras soon after. Young, vigorous trees have smooth, silvery gray bark which provides winter interest. Roots in a dense, fibrous network, often preventing other plants from growing near its trunk. Fall foliage is quite variable, ranging from the brilliant red for which the species is known, to yellow or greenish-yellow. Red Maple is a handsome shade tree, named for its often red autumn leaf display. It has the greatest north-south distribution of all tree species along the East Coast, ranging from eastern Canada south to Florida and west to east Texas. [wildflower.org]
Larval Host for the
40-70'
30-50'
SIZE
SOIL
Medium, Wet
LIGHT
Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade
BENEFITS
Moths, Worms, Birds
NOTES
Amazing fall color! Fairly soil tolerant, but tends to grow best as a solo or understory tree in moist conditions, like flood plains or wet woods. Each tree tends to have flowers of mostly one gender, so best to plant more than one.
CHARACTERISTICS
Flood tolerant, Tolerates Wet, Tolerates Underplantings, Keystone Species, Stabilizing, Straight Trunk, Easy to Grow, Stately, Good Fall Color, Low Maintenance
March, April
Large Tree
This
flowers in
Red Maple
Acer rubrum
DETAIL VIEW
DESCRIPTION
Large tree with narrow or rounded, compact crown and red flowers, fruit, leafstalks, and autumn foliage. This popular ornamental tree grows 40-60 ft. in cultivation, occasionally reaching 100-120 ft. in the wild. Leaves vary from 3- to 5-lobed, with lobes separated by V-shaped angles. Male trees have notable pinkish red flowers in early spring, and females display decorative red samaras soon after. Young, vigorous trees have smooth, silvery gray bark which provides winter interest. Roots in a dense, fibrous network, often preventing other plants from growing near its trunk. Fall foliage is quite variable, ranging from the brilliant red for which the species is known, to yellow or greenish-yellow. Red Maple is a handsome shade tree, named for its often red autumn leaf display. It has the greatest north-south distribution of all tree species along the East Coast, ranging from eastern Canada south to Florida and west to east Texas. [wildflower.org]