+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ## red maple {#red-maple .Title-Header}                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| *Acer rubrum* L.                                                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Plant Symbol = ACRU                                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Contributed by: USDA NRCS New York State Office

![](media/image2.wmf){width="2.915277777777778in"
height="1.948611111111111in"}

##### Alternative Names {#alternative-names .Header-3}

swamp maple

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Erosion control*: Red maple is available in quantity for revegetation
work and landscaping. It is a valuable riparian buffer plant due mostly
to it's tolerance of wetter soils.

*Wildlife*: Red maple seeds provide food for squirrels and some birds.
The species is not preferred by deer as a browse source, so in heavy
deer pressure this species is over abundant in forest regeneration.

*Wood*: The wood is not desirable for lumber or veneer.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Weediness {#weediness .Header-3}

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and
may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please
consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service
office, or state natural resource or agriculture department regarding
its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS
Web site at plants.usda.gov.

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

*Acer rubrum* L., red maple, is a wide-ranging native tree that is very
well adapted to most soil and site conditions. This species is one of
the early harbingers of fall as it turns color well in advance of other
eastern deciduous trees, especially when it is located in wet sites. The
fiery colors of fall are typically a brilliant red. Conversely, it is
also one of the earliest flowering trees in the spring. Red maple has
the smallest winged seeds (samaras) of all native maples, about 5/8-3/4
inches long. Also, the samaras ripen in the spring- a trait shared only
with silver maple which has much larger samaras. This maple is a medium
sized tree with fairly rapid growth (2-5 ft/yr), but not as fast as the
much larger growing silver maple.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Red maple is adapted to wet sites where it associates with black ash,
cottonwood, and black gum. Some forested wetlands are referred to as
maple swamps due to their stands of red maple. However, red maple is
also well adapted to well drained but moist soils of upland sites where
its companions are sugar maple, beech, black cherry and the birches.
This capability makes this species a common tree in home landscapes
where the fall colors can be displayed. The range of red maple extends
from Florida to the Maritimes and west to Texas and Minnesota. Red maple
is shade tolerant.

For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Red maple seed is easily germinated in nature or in nurseries. The seed
can be direct planted with no pre-treatment. The seedlings have
moderately fast growth and are usually outplanted as 1 year old or 2
year old bareroot stock.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Red maple seedlings must be protected from fire and livestock, and are
greatly aided where weed and grass competition is controlled. This is
particularly true in any plantings where grass sod is the cover between
trees. Weed control mulch or fabric, or herbicide treatments are
recommended for the first three years or longer.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Few pests seriously bother red maple, although the Asian long-horned
beetle is a dire threat to the species if eradication efforts fail.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

There are many selections in the horticultural trade that have mostly
been selected for a growth form oddity. These are not recommended for
riparian buffer use, rather the typical growth form is preferred.
Purchasing stock of known origin will aid in assuring adaptation, and
nurseries should be willing to provide this information.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

*John Dickerson*, retired

USDA NRCS New York State Office

Syracuse, New York

##### Edited: 31Jan2002 JLK; 24may06jsp {#edited-31jan2002-jlk-24may06jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*