Tree of the Month: Red Maple

August’s Tree of the Month is Acer rubrum, or the Red Maple tree (or the swamp maple, water maple, and even soft maple). Their colloquial name comes from their stunning fall color display, which usually features brilliant scarlet leaves, but can also include oranges, yellows, and yellow-greens. Whether you know it or not, you probably see one of these every single day; the red maple is recognized by the US Forest Service as the most abundant native tree in eastern North America. In fact, they have the greatest north-south range of any tree species living entirely in eastern forests, and can be found from southern Florida all the way to Newfoundland!

Did You Know?

The largest known Red Maple resides in Smoky Mountains National Park. In 1997, the National Register of Big Trees declared it a champion at 141 feet tall, with a 7-foot-wide trunk!

One of the reasons for their wide-spread population is their vast environmental tolerance. Red maples are happy in any kind of soil, be it acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained, or even clay. This means they do just fine in all the Georgia red clay we have around here, and also allows them to grow in marshes and swamps. They have just enough drought tolerance to get them through the occasional dry spell, but also don’t mind the rainy seasons. They can be happy in partial shade, but flourish best with at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight a day, giving them a distinct advantage in the Southeast.
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No matter their surroundings, red maples are considered one of the faster-growing species of tree, and can clock height increases of anywhere from 13 inches to over 24 inches per year until maturity. Fully grown, they can reach heights of over 60 feet, with crown spreads over 45 feet. One of the tallest red maples recorded actually stretches over 100 feet into the sky.
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While they are known (and named) for their beautiful fall color displays, red maples actually have vibrant green leaves most of the year; these leaves grow around 2 to 6 inches in length and have 3 or 5 irregularly-toothed lobes. 

You’ve probably seen the likeness of the red maple leaf on merchandise relating to   Canada, as the red maple leaf is on their flag!

But their leaves aren’t their only hallmark; younger trees will have smooth, silvery-grey bark that makes a great winter attraction when all the branches are bare. As the tree matures, the bark will retain the silver-grey coloring but will begin to crack and fissure, creating a mottled, signature bark look.

From mid-winter to early spring, red maples will sprout small clusters of flowers. These can range from muted reds to warm yellows in color. Female tree flowers will also develop small, coupled fruits called samaras. The fruits are fairly small in size and feature wide, wing-like structures, and will eventually dry and fall; you probably remember picking these dried seeds off the sidewalk and dropping them to watch as they twirl to the ground.  

​​Red maples make great shade trees, and are relatively low-maintenance, which has led to high propagation rates in urban areas. Unfortunately, many planters are not aware of how close to the surface a red maple’s root system grows. This can lead to either accidental root trauma that damages the tree’s structural integrity and may lead to tree failure, or to the disturbance of sidewalks and other structures within the roots’ reach.

Did You Know?​

The red maple tree is the state tree of Rhode Island. It was chosen in the 1890s by a group of students who voted for their favorite candidate - possibly due to the name alone. The Rhode in Rhode Island comes from the Dutch word for "red!"

Red maple root systems are also incredibly dense and fibrous, and they will easily overwhelm nearby flora by leaching soil nutrients and soaking up available water. So, if you’re considering adding one of these gorgeous trees to your property, be sure to   account for the roots!

You’ll also want to keep an eye out for any  signs of damage or decay; red maple branches are rated at medium-weak strength, meaning they are susceptible to broken limbs from inclement weather or human interaction. While red maples are fairly disease- and pest-resistant, exposed wounds like this can lead to infection and infestation if not properly cared for; if you think your red maple may be afflicted, feel free to   call us    and schedule a   free estimate!

Author

Emily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.

Sources
Red Maple – Arbor Day Foundation
Acer Rubrum
Pros & Cons of Red Maple Trees