Red Maple—Acer rubrum

Medium | Deciduous | Height: 40-70 feet | Spread: Spread: 30-50 feet

Red maple is a handsome, native, deciduous shade tree with a rounded crown and ascending branches to a 30-to-50-foot spread. This tree is easy to grow in average, medium to wet, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. It is tolerant of a wide range of soils, including clay, but prefers moist, slightly acidic conditions. It is very cold hardy and grows quickly with tolerance to urban conditions. Early in the fall, the leaves turn an attractive red. Color may vary from tree to tree.

Flower nectar attracts bees and other pollinators, and the leaves support imperial moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae. Seeds are enjoyed by birds. The fruit, along with the buds, are a primary food source for gray squirrels in late winter and early spring. It makes an excellent lawn, park, or street tree.

More information on the characteristics and cultivation of this species can be found at https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/acer-rubrum