The Red Maple is one of the first trees to show fall color. Generally, the tree is found in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. In northern states, the Red Maple occurs in wet bottomlands, river flood plains, and wet woods along with other hardwoods such as cottonwoods, oaks, black ash, and black tupelo. In southern states, it frequents drier, rocky upland areas. American pioneers used the tannin on the Red Maple's bark to make ink. The ink's color was determined by the mineral, such as iron or alum, added to the tannin.

Bark: The bark is smooth and light gray on young trees. With age, the bark becomes darker and breaks up into long scaly plates.

Foliage: The 2 - 4 inch long and wide leaves are opposite, simple, shiny green above, and pale grayish to silvery beneath and have 3-5 lobes. New growth and petioles are often red. During fall leaves are red to yellow.

Flowers: The flowers are small and bright red, rarely yellow. When the flowers bloom from March to April the Female trees have a more intense red color than the males.

Fruit: The 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide samaras appear on long slender stems of 3/4 to 1 inch long and with slightly divergent wings from May to June in clusters. It is light brown maturing to a reddish color.

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More Information

Tree ID Number:	248
Scientific Name:	Acer rubrum
Mature Height:	40 - 60ft.
Canopy Spread (Diameter):	40 - 60ft.
Branching Shape:	Irregular, rounded crown.
Growth Rate:	Medium to fast.
Wood Strength:	Strong when young, less durable as the tree ages
Cold Hardiness Zone:	3b-9
Soil Moisture Requirements:	Wet, Moist
Light Requirements:	Sun, Part or Dappled Shade
Common Pests:	Leaf hoppers and borers. Sunscald.
Comments:	The red maple is used widely in gardens as a shade tree. Excellent specimen tree for lawn, park or street. Doesn't tolerate heavily polluted areas. Doesn't grow as fast as the silver maples, but is more prefered due to better fall color, stronger wood and cleaner foliage.

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