Red Maple | National Wildlife Federation

• Contact Us
• Blog

Donate

• One-Time Gift
• Give Monthly
• Corporate Giving
• Renew
• In Memory / Honor of
• Matching Gifts
• More Ways to Give

• Our Work
  • Climate
  • Conservation Policy
  • Environmental Justice
  • Habitats
  • Indigenous Partnerships
  • Our Lands
  • People
  • Waters
  • Wildlife Conservation
• Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • Certify a Garden
  • More Ways to Give
  • Action Fund
• About Us
  • Mission & Strategic Plan
  • History & Heritage
  • Equity & Justice
  • Regional Centers & Affiliates
  • Executive Leadership
  • Partners & Supporters
  • Financials
  • Careers
• Kids & Family
  • Connecting Kids and Nature
  • Ranger Rick Kids
  • Ranger Rick Store
  • About Ranger Rick
• Educational Resources
  • Wildlife Guide
  • Educator Tools
  • Education Programs
  • Reports
• Magazines
  • National Wildlife®
  • Ranger Rick®
  • Ranger Rick Jr.™
  • Ranger Rick Cub™
  • Ranger Rick Zoobooks®
  • Ranger Rick Dinosaurs™
  • Content Licensing
• Latest News
  • Press Releases
  • Blog
  • Media Resources
• Contact Us
• Blog

Red Maple

1. Home
2. Educational Resources
3. Wildlife Guide
4. Plants and Fungi
5. Red Maple

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Status: Not Listed

Classification: Plant

Description

The red maple is named for its red flowers, red fruit, red twigs, and—of course—its brilliant red fall foliage. Autumn sightseers of the eastern deciduous forest praise the red maple for its striking scarlet leaves. Few people know that red maple foliage can turn yellow or orange in the fall too. Red maples are fast-growing trees that usually reach 60 to 90 feet (18 to 27 meters) in height. The largest ones can grow more than 120 feet (36.5 meters) tall.

Range

Red maples are native to the eastern deciduous forest. They’re found from Maine west to Minnesota, south to Texas, and east to Florida. In the southernmost parts of their range, red maples are a wetland species, which has earned them the nickname “swamp maple.” Lucky bird-watchers might see wood ducks nesting inside cavities of swamp maples.

Red maples are perhaps the most abundant tree in the eastern deciduous forest. This status can be attributed to the tree’s generalist tendencies. A generalist species is one that can tolerate a wide range of habitat conditions and uses many different types of resources. Red maples do well in sunny or shady spots, dry or wet soil, and high or low elevation. Adaptable roots help the red maple to cope with differing soil types. If the tree is placed in wet soil, it grows a short taproot and extensive lateral roots to soak up water at the surface. When red maples grow in dry sites, a long taproot and short lateral roots develop. Despite their remarkable roots, red maples grow better in some conditions than others. Deep, moist, acidic soil results in the healthiest red maples.

Life History

Small red flowers appear on red maples early in spring from March to April, and the fruit develops from April to June. Red maple fruits, called samaras, look much different from the typical fruits that people eat. Samaras have an enclosed seed at one end and a thin, dry, winglike projection at the other. Many people refer to them as helicopters or whirlybirds because the “wing” makes them spin when they fall from the tree. Seeds are often gobbled up by small mammals like squirrels and chipmunks.

By tree standards, red maples don’t live very long. The average lifespan is only 80 to 100 years. The oldest ones may reach 200 years of age, but this is extremely rare. However, red maples can start producing seeds at just four years old.

Conservation

Red maple wood is soft and often deformed, which means that only the best specimens can be used for making sturdy products like furniture and flooring. However, red maple is well-suited for making clothespins, musical instruments, and boxes. Many homeowners choose to plant a red maple as an ornamental tree because it’s easy to grow. As fast-growing generalists, red maples have taken up a spot as one of the most abundant trees in the forest, even though they are highly susceptible to diseases and pests. After fires or hurricanes, when many trees are decimated, red maples spring up quickly and can become the dominant species in the forest. The extensive growth of this species is kept in check by moose, deer, and rabbits, which enjoys red maples as a favorite treat.

Fun Fact

The red maple is one species whose sap is used to make maple syrup. The biggest syrup provider is the sugar maple, though, which is named for the high sugar content of its sap.

Sources

NatureServe Explorer

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

University of Florida

USDA Plants Guide

U.S. Forest Service

Get Involved

Donate Today

Sign a Petition

Donate Monthly

Sign Up for Updates

What's Trending

UNNATURAL DISASTERS

A new storymap connects the dots between extreme weather and climate change and illustrates the harm these disasters inflict on communities and wildlife.

Learn More

Come Clean for Earth

Take the Clean Earth Challenge and help make the planet a happier, healthier place.

Learn More

Native Plant Finder

Get a list of highly impactful plants that are native to your area based on your zip code!

Check It Out

Where We Work

More than one-third of U.S. fish and wildlife species are at risk of extinction in the coming decades. We're on the ground in seven regions across the country, collaborating with 52 state and territory affiliates to reverse the crisis and ensure wildlife thrive.

Learn More ABOUT US CONTACT US MAGAZINES BLOG ACTION FUND CAREERS

PO Box 1583, Merrifield, VA 22116-1583

800.822.9919

Join Ranger Rick

Inspire a lifelong connection with wildlife and wild places through our children's publications, products, and activities

Learn More

Follow Us

National Wildlife Federation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

×

You are now leaving nwf.org

In 4 seconds, you'll be redirected to NWF Action Fund, a separate and distinct 501(c)(4) nonprofit affiliated with NWF.