Red Maple (fallen leaf)
Acer rubrum
A deciduous tree leaf showing characteristic palmately lobed venation and vibrant autumn coloration transitioning from green to deep red.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, approximately 6 hours or more of direct sunlight daily.
- Water
- Requires regular moisture, particularly when young. Established specimens tolerate occasional dry spells but prefer evenly moist soil.
- Growth
- Large deciduous tree with an upright, oval to rounded canopy, reaching mature heights of 40 to 70 feet.
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade, consistently moist but well-draining acidic soil, and regular watering during establishment.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, approximately 6 hours or more of direct sunlight daily.
Watering
Requires regular moisture, particularly when young. Established specimens tolerate occasional dry spells but prefer evenly moist soil.
Soil
Prefers rich, slightly acidic, well-draining loamy soils, though highly adaptable to various soil textures and moisture levels.
Hardiness zone
USDA zones 3 through 9.
Growth habit
Large deciduous tree with an upright, oval to rounded canopy, reaching mature heights of 40 to 70 feet.
Bloom season
Spring, producing small reddish flowers before the emergence of new foliage.
Propagation
Typically propagated from fresh seeds planted immediately after harvest, or through softwood cuttings treated with rooting hormone.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to aphids, scale insects, stem borers, and leaf spot fungi, often managed through proper sanitation and cultural care.
Similar species
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), which features sharper leaf sinuses and lacks the distinct red autumn coloration found in many variants of the red maple.