Acer rubrum - Red Maple
DESCRIPTION
Red MapleAcer rubrum
Fast-growing with a pleasing oval shape, this outstanding specimen shade tree features deep green, trident foliage with gray green leaf backs. Tiny red flowers emerge in early spring to the delight of early native pollinators. Foliage puts on a fiery red show you can't help but admire!
BENEFITS
- Outstanding provider of cover and nesting
- Oval to pyramidal shape is a landscape winner!
- Brilliant red fall foliage color is a showstopper
- Easy to grow and tolerates many soil conditions even wet
- Early spring bloom attracts all kinds of pollinators
- Native birds love to eat its seed
- Insect-eating birds visit the tree to feed on the pollinators
- Provides cover and nest sites for all kinds of birds
NATIVE INFO
Native Range
Woods and swamps of Eastern North America; Newfoundland to Manitoba south to Eastern Texas and Florida.
Map Credit: The Biota of North America
Map Key: Green (native), Teal (native, adventive), Blue (present), Yellow (present & rare), Red (extinct)
INTERESTING FACTS
Swamp red maple is one of the earliest blooming trees in the northeast. The flowers provide nectar for small bees, flies and beetles, which in turn attract insect-eating birds such as kinglets, phoebes, pine warblers and others.
GROWING TIPS
Plant in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, acidic soils with good drainage but grows well in average to wet, well-drained soil. This is a big tree so give it plenty of room to reach full size.