Red Maple
Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Height: 50 feet Spread: 40 feet Sunlight: Full sun Hardiness Zone: 3b Other Names: Swamp Maple, Scarlet Maple
Description: The Red Maple is the tree that illuminates New England with vibrant yellows and reds in the fall. It is a fantastic shade tree, although it does not tolerate alkaline soils well. Due to the inconsistency of its red fall color in the species, many named cultivars are often chosen.
Ornamental Features:
Flowers: Showy clusters of red flowers adorn the branches in early spring before the leaves emerge.
Foliage: Green deciduous foliage that emerges red in spring. The lobed leaves turn an outstanding red in the fall.
Fruits: Produces red samaras in late spring.
Bark: Furrowed silver bark and brick-red branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.
Landscape Attributes:
Deciduous tree with a shapely oval form.
Average texture that blends into the landscape; can be balanced with one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.
Low-maintenance tree; should be pruned in summer after leaves have fully developed to avoid 'bleeding' sap.
No significant negative characteristics.
Recommended Uses:
Accent
Shade
Planting & Growing:
Grows to about 50 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 40 feet.
High canopy with a typical clearance of 7 feet from the ground; not suitable for planting under power lines. Lower branches can be strategically removed as it matures to create a high canopy that allows unobstructed human traffic underneath.
Grows at a medium rate and can live for 80 years or more under ideal conditions.
Thrives in full sunlight.
Quite adaptable, preferring to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water.
May require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat.
Not particular about soil type but has a definite preference for acidic soils. Subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils.
Somewhat tolerant of urban pollution.
This species is native to parts of North America.