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Acer rubrum (Red Maple)

Red Maple, Scarlet Maple, Swamp Maple, Canadian Maple

Acer rubrum, Red Maple, Scarlet Maple, Swamp Maple, Canadian Maple, Tree with fall color, Fall color, Red Leaves, Red Autumn Leaves, Attractive bark Tree
Acer rubrum, Red Maple, Scarlet Maple, Swamp Maple, Canadian Maple, Tree with fall color, Fall color, Red Leaves, Red Autumn Leaves, Attractive bark Tree
Acer rubrum, Red Maple, Scarlet Maple, Swamp Maple, Canadian Maple, Tree with fall color, Fall color, Red Leaves, Red Autumn Leaves, Attractive bark Tree
Acer rubrum, Red Maple, Scarlet Maple, Swamp Maple, Canadian Maple, Tree with fall color, Fall color, Red Leaves, Red Autumn Leaves, Attractive bark Tree

Noted for its lovely fall color, Acer rubrum (Red Maple) is a relatively fast-growing deciduous tree of pyramidal habit when young, becoming rounded to oval at maturity. In early spring, tiny red flowers, borne in erect clusters, appear before the leaves and are followed by red fruit. Emerging red tinged in spring, the leaves change to dark green with whitish undersides and often develop dazzling yellows and red in the fall. This Red Maple also provides some winter interest, with its attractive, smooth gray bark, often ridged and furrowed with age. Excellent as a specimen planting for lawns and streets.

  • Grows up to 40-70 ft. tall (12-21 m) and 30-50 ft. wide (9-15 m).
  • A full sun or part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in average, moist to wet, well-drained soils. Tolerates a wide range of soils, but prefers moist, slightly acid conditions.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant.
  • Low maintenance, this plant needs little pruning. If pruning is necessary, prune during the dormant season and avoid pruning in spring when the sap is running. Fertilize in spring before the leaves emerge.
  • May be affected by horse chestnut scale, aphids, verticillium wilt.
  • Propagate by seed and by grafting.
  • Toxic to horses.
  • Dianthus caryophyllus is native to the Mediterranean area.
  • Native to Eastern North America from Quebec to Minnesota south to Florida and eastern Texas.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, A2, A3
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Sapindaceae
Genus Acer
Common names Red Maple, Maple
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 40' - 70'
(12.2m - 21.3m)
Spread 30' - 50'
(9.1m - 15.2m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, New Jersey, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, Delaware, Connecticut, Southeast, Southwest, Northeast, Midwest, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma
Tolerance Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Acer palmatum ‘Fireglow’ (Japanese Maple)
Acer palmatum ‘Ariadne’ (Japanese Maple)
Acer palmatum ‘Sumi-Nagashi’ (Japanese Maple)
Acer palmatum ‘Pixie’ (Japanese Maple)
Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Brilliantissimum’ (Sycamore Maple)
Acer ginnala (Amur Maple)

Recommended Companion Plants

Betula nigra (River Birch)
Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress)
Agarista populifolia (Florida Hobblebush)
Gordonia lasianthus (Loblolly Bay)
Cephalanthus occidentalis (Button Bush)
Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple)
Combining Japanese Maples for long-lasting color impact
Companion Plants for your Japanese Maples
Plant Combination Ideas with Japanese Maples
Great Japanese Maples with Stunning Spring Color
Great Japanese Maples with Striking Coral Bark
Great Japanese Maples for Containers
Native Plant Alternatives to Acer platanoides (Norway Maple)
Shrubs and Trees with Attractive Winter Bark
Best Companion Plants for Camellias
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, A2, A3
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Sapindaceae
Genus Acer
Common names Red Maple, Maple
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 40' - 70'
(12.2m - 21.3m)
Spread 30' - 50'
(9.1m - 15.2m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, New Jersey, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, Delaware, Connecticut, Southeast, Southwest, Northeast, Midwest, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma
Tolerance Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Acer (Maple)
Guides with
Acer (Maple)
Not sure which Acer (Maple) to pick?
Compare Now

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