Acer rubrum

red maple, scarlet maple
Family

Aceraceae

Leaf Arrangement

opposite

Leaf Attachment

petiolate

Leaf Margin

serrate

Leaf Type

simple

Leaf Shape

palmate lobed

Growth Form

tree

Flower Color

red

Flower Month

February - April

Height (meters)

35.0

Milky Sap

No

Armed/Unarmed

Unarmed

Origin

native

Lifespan

perennial

Leaf Retention

Deciduous


Wetland Class

FAC

Wetland Coefficient of Conservatism

7

Field Characters

Red maples have opposite, lobed leaves that may be confused with those of sweetgum which are alternate. They can be distinguished from silver maple which has fetid smelling twigs and a terminal lobe that is constricted near its base.

Plant Uses

Can be tapped to make maple syrup but not near as productive as sugar maple. Its brilliant red seed in early spring make this tree a showy landscape tree.