Red Maple
Acer rubrum
A medium to large deciduous tree featuring oppositely arranged leaves with three to five lobes, serrated margins, and a whitish underside. Twigs and buds often show reddish tones, and autumn foliage turns vibrant red or orange.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal foliage color.
- Water
- Prefers regular moisture and moderate drought tolerance once established. Water deeply during extended dry periods, ensuring soil does not remain perpetually waterlogged.
- Growth
- Deciduous tree with an upright, oval to rounded crown, reaching mature heights of 40 to 70 feet and a spread of 30 to 50 feet with a moderate to fast growth rate.
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade with consistently moist, well-draining acidic soil. Water deeply during dry spells to maintain soil moisture, and apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal foliage color.
Watering
Prefers regular moisture and moderate drought tolerance once established. Water deeply during extended dry periods, ensuring soil does not remain perpetually waterlogged.
Soil
Thrives in moist, slightly acidic, well-draining soils with a pH ranging from 4.5 to 6.5, though it adapts to various soil textures.
Hardiness zone
USDA zones 3 through 9, demonstrating strong cold tolerance in northern regions.
Growth habit
Deciduous tree with an upright, oval to rounded crown, reaching mature heights of 40 to 70 feet and a spread of 30 to 50 feet with a moderate to fast growth rate.
Bloom season
Flowers in early spring before leaf emergence, producing small, dense clusters of reddish flowers.
Propagation
Propagated primarily from seeds sown immediately after collection, or through softwood cuttings taken in late spring treated with rooting hormone.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to aphids, scale insects, and stem borers, as well as fungal leaf spots and verticillium wilt. Ensure proper air circulation and avoid mechanical damage to the trunk.
Similar species
Silver Maple (Acer saccharinumm), which has deeply cut leaves with silvery undersides, and Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), which features rounded leaf sinuses and clear sap.