Red maple
Acer rubrum 路 Sapindaceae 路 also Scarlet maple, Swamp maple, Soft maple
One of the most widely planted shade trees in the eastern US, fast-growing to 40-70 feet with red flowers in late winter, red seeds in spring and reliable red or yellow fall color. It wants moist, acidic soil; on Austin's dry alkaline limestone it yellows and declines, and its dense shallow roots heave sidewalks. The native Drummond red maple of east Texas swamps handles heat best.
Where it stands
Native
- 馃嚭馃嚫 United States 路 Also native in: CT, DC, DE, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WI, WV (USDA PLANTS distribution)source
- 馃嚭馃嚫 AL, United Statessource
- 馃嚭馃嚫 AR, United Statessource
- 馃嚭馃嚫 FL, United Statessource
- 馃嚭馃嚫 GA, United Statessource
- 馃嚭馃嚫 LA, United Statessource
- 馃嚭馃嚫 MS, United Statessource
- 馃嚭馃嚫 NC, United Statessource
- 馃嚭馃嚫 OK, United Statessource
- 馃嚭馃嚫 SC, United Statessource
- 馃嚭馃嚫 TN, United Statessource
- 馃嚭馃嚫 TX, United States 路 Native to east Texas; poorly adapted to Central Texas alkaline soilssource
Care
Keep soil moist, especially the first few summers, and mulch widely; do not plant within 8-10 feet of pavement because of surface roots. Prune in summer or fall rather than late winter to avoid heavy sap bleeding. Branches can break in wind and ice. Verticillium wilt, leaf spots, aphids and scale are the main problems; chlorosis on alkaline soil is hard to correct. Leaves and bark are toxic to horses.
Benefits
Good for