Red Maple

Scientific Name: Acer rubrum

Category: tree

Red Maple

Brief Description

A versatile and common deciduous tree known for its brilliant red autumn foliage and fast growth.

Characteristics

Leaves are typically simple and palmately lobed with 3 to 5 lobes and serrated margins. The bark is smooth and light gray on young trees, becoming dark, rough, and scaly or ridged on older trunks. Twigs and buds are often reddish.

Habitat

Found in a wide variety of sites ranging from swampy lowlands and moist woods to dry upland ridges, showing high adaptability.

When to Find It

Displays vibrant red foliage in autumn; produces small red flowers in early spring before the leaves emerge.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Ecological Role

Provides food and habitat for numerous birds, mammals, and insects. Its seeds are consumed by squirrels and various birds, and the foliage is browsed by deer and rabbits.

Easily Confused With

Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), which has deeper sinuses between lobes and smoother-edged margins; Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum), which has deeper lobes and silvery undersides.

Observation Tips

Look up into the canopy in early spring to spot the clusters of tiny red blossoms, or in autumn for the striking crimson color.

Interesting Facts

The red maple is one of the most abundant and widespread trees in eastern North America, frequently hybridizing with the silver maple to form the Freeman maple.