ExploreTree

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

The Red Maple is known for its bright red leaves in the fall. It grows quickly and provides beautiful colors to the landscape!

Habitat: Wetlands and forests

Appearance

The Red Maple is known for its brilliant red fall leaves, which can also be orange or yellow. Its bark is smooth and light gray when young, becoming dark and ridged with age. Look for small, reddish flowers and buds early in spring, giving it a reddish tint even before leaves appear.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSapindalesFamilySapindaceaeGenusAcer

Red Maple

Interesting facts

It is the most widespread native tree in eastern North America.

Its sap can be tapped for maple syrup, similar to Sugar Maples!

Red maple wood is used for furniture, flooring, and even musical instruments.

The Red Maple is the state tree of Rhode Island!

Special abilities

Red Maple has early spring flowers, blooming before most trees, giving pollinators a valuable early food source.

Red Maple has winged seeds, called samaras, that twirl like helicopters to spread far from the tree.

Measurements & details

Height: 15-30 m
Canopy Spread: 10-15 m
Is Edible: No
Trunk Diameter: 45-90 cm
Lifespan: 80-150 years
Fruit Type: Samara
Growth Rate: Medium
Leaf Type: Deciduous

Ecological connections

eats

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

Deer browse on young leaves and twigs.

pollinates

Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Bees gather nectar and pollen from early flowers.

eats

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Sciurus carolinensis

Squirrels eat the tree's winged seeds (samaras).

eats

American Goldfinch

Spinus tristis

Goldfinches feed on the protein-rich seeds.

Traits

Deciduous

Discover the magic of plants that shed all their leaves during a particular season, often putting on a spectacular show of fall colors first. They get ready for a fresh start!

Broadleaf Tree

Discover magnificent trees that have wide, flat leaves, unlike the needles of pine trees! These are often the trees that change colors beautifully in autumn.

Fall Color

Witness the breathtaking transformation as leaves change from green to brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold before they fall. It's a spectacular natural art show!

Rapid Growing

Watch these energetic plants grow super fast, quickly transforming spaces and adding lush greenery in a blink of an eye!

Forest

These lush habitats are filled with countless trees, offering homes to a huge variety of plants and animals! Immerse yourself in the green canopy.

Wetland

These fascinating areas are covered by water for at least part of the year, creating a perfect home for unique plants and animals, like marshes and swamps.