Red Maple (
Acer rubrum)
DBH 34.3 (cm) measured on 10/09/2020
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Acer rubrum, thered maple, also known asswamp,waterorsoft maple, is one of the most common and widespread deciduoustreesof eastern and centralNorth America. The U.S. Forest service recognizes it as the most abundant native tree in eastern North America.[4]The red maple ranges from southeasternManitobaaround theLake of the Woodson the border withOntarioandMinnesota, east toNewfoundland, south toFlorida, and southwest to easternTexas. Many of its features, especially its leaves, are quite variable in form. At maturity, it often attains a height of around 30m (100ft). Its flowers, petioles, twigs and seeds are all red to varying degrees. Among these features, however, it is best known for its brilliant deep scarlet foliage in autumn.
Over most of its range, red maple is adaptable to a very wide range of site conditions, perhaps more so than any other tree in eastern North America. It can be found growing inswamps, on poor drysoils, and almost anywhere in between. It grows well fromsea levelto about 900m (3,000ft). Due to its attractive fall foliage and pleasing form, it is often used as a shade tree for landscapes. It is used commercially on a small scale formaple syrupproduction as well as for its medium to high quality lumber. It is also thestate treeof Rhode Island. The red maple can be considered weedy or even invasive in young, highly disturbed forests, especially frequently logged forests. In a mature or old growth northern hardwood forest, red maple only has a sparse presence, while shade tolerant trees such as sugar maples,beeches, andhemlocksthrive. By removing red maple from a young forest recovering from disturbance, the natural cycle of forest regeneration is altered, changing the diversity of the forest for centuries to come.[5]