# 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! - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 118 - **Habitat:** Wetlands and forests - **Also known as:** Soft Maple, Swamp Maple, Water Maple ![Red Maple](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425772/objects/4787.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Sapindales - **Family:** Sapindaceae - **Genus:** Acer ## 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 - **Early Bloomer:** Red Maple has early spring flowers, blooming before most trees, giving pollinators a valuable early food source. - **Seed Spinner:** Red Maple has winged seeds, called samaras, that twirl like helicopters to spread far from the tree. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 15-30 m - **Spread:** 10-15 m - **Edible:** No - **Size:** 45-90 cm - **Lifespan:** 80-150 years - **Fruit Type:** Samara - **Growth Rate:** Medium - **Leaf Type:** Deciduous ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — Squirrels eat the tree's winged seeds (samaras). - **Eats:** [American Goldfinch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-goldfinch) (*Spinus tristis*) — Goldfinches feed on the protein-rich seeds. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. ## Collections - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Red Maple? Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Red Maple? 15-30 m ### How wide does Red Maple spread? 10-15 m ### Is Red Maple edible? No ### How big is Red Maple? 45-90 cm ### How long does Red Maple live? 80-150 years ### Where is Red Maple usually found? Wetlands and forests ### What kind of fruit does Red Maple produce? Samara ## Where to spot - [Bald Eagle State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bald-eagle-state-forest) — Pennsylvania, US · Forest - [Black Tern Bog State Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-tern-bog-state-natural-area) — Wisconsin, US · State Park - [Bristol Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bristol-downtown-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District - [Chantilly Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chantilly-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Chesterfield Gorge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chesterfield-gorge) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Copicut Woods](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/copicut-woods) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Red Maple](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/red-maple) ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [Red Maple: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-maple)