Acer rubrum (red maple)

Maryland DNR Recommended Tree

The red maple is a deciduous tree that is the most widespread and adaptable of the native maples. It is a landscaping favorite because of the red tint of its new foliage, its red flowers, and the red and orange shades of its foliage in Fall.

A rather fast grower, the red maple reaches 40–60' tall in full to part shade. However, its shallow roots may rob water from nearby shrubs and perennials as it matures. Red maples perform best in wet to moderately moist, average soil. They tolerate flooding, dry soils and compacted sites. Good as a specimen or as a shade tree. 

Red maple is common throughout Maryland and widespread in a range of wet to xeric forest and woodland habitats. It often dominates in swamps and other wetlands and in successional forests. Buds, flowers, and leaves provide food for many birds and mammals. Chipmunks and squirrels eat seeds and some songbirds use stalks for nest building. Host plant for various moth species including the banded tussock moth and American dagger moth. 

Photo by Kellen McCluskey

BONAP Native Range Map. Bright green indicates native to the county, dark green indicates native to the state.