Generally speaking, individuals from the north flush the earliest, have the most reddish fall color, set their buds the earliest and take the least winter injury. Maples have a reputation for providing striking autumn colors, but their spring and summer colors in some cases identify them. 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. The Tree is a deciduous tree, it will be up to 20 m (66 ft) high. Red Maple Trees: Common problems. The trunk diameter often ranges from 46 to 88 cm (18 to 35 in); depending on the growing conditions, however, open grown trees can attain diameters of up to 153 centimetres (60 in). There it is frequently found in many parks and yards. From the little 8-foot (2.5 m.) Japanese maple to the towering sugar maple that can reach heights of 100 feet (30.5 m.) or more, the Acer family offers a tree just the right size for every situation. 432 416 93. Its flowers, petioles, twigs and seeds are all red to varying degrees. At the same time, they are tolerant of drought due to their ability to stop growing under dry conditions by then producing a second growth flush when conditions later improve, even if growth has stopped for 2 weeks.[8]. Maple Maple Leaves. Most of the Red Maple leaves are a light or a pale green to a whitish. Another possible cause of yellowing leaves is root and crown rot. … The leaf scars on the twig are V-shaped and contain 3 bundle scars. The silver maple has a dull green shade on its upper side, but the underneath of the leaf takes on a silver-white hue. Extensive use of red maple in landscaping has also contributed to the surge in the species' numbers as volunteer seedlings proliferate. If you are in doubt, look at the bark of the tree to make a positive identification. Green stems turn red in winter, new leaves are red-tinged, turning to green. They are typically 5–10 cm (2–4 in) long and wide with 3-5 palmate lobes with a serrated margin. The leaves of red maple trees are three-five-lobed and green, with bright red stems and silver-white undersides. The roots are primarily horizontal, however, forming in the upper 25 cm (9.8 in) of the ground. An example is the Bluegrass region of Kentucky, where red maple is not found in the dominant open plains, but is present along streams. Soil acidity can influence the color of the foliage and trees with female flowers are more likely to produce orange coloration while male trees produce red. This not only decreases oxygen delivery to all tissues, but also leads to the production of methemoglobin, which can further damage the kidneys. Not all red maple trees have red leaves in the fall, so buy a nursery plant in the fall to be certain. 154 103 69. Samaras bright red, usually well-formed when leaves are leafing out. Put your maple in … During the fall, Animal Crossing: New Horizons players will notice red Maple Leaves flying about. The road to Pu Ta Leng peak is dyed the yellow of maple leaves. Due to A. rubrum's very wide range, there is significant variation in hardiness, size, form, time of flushing, onset of dormancy, and other traits. Fall color is deep red or yellow. Though A. rubrum is usually easy to identify, it is highly changeable in morphological characteristics. World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, "Ten Most Common Trees in the United States", "Eastern Forests Change Color As Red Maples Proliferate", Southern Research Station (www.srs.fs.fed.us), "RHS Plant Selector Acer rubrum 'October Glory' AGM / RHS Gardening", "Autumn's Harbinger: Acer rubrum 'Schlesingeri, "Heating With Wood: Species Characteristics and Volumes". Maple tree leaves: Red maple tree leaves are light green with white undersides. In one study, stem elongation was one-half completed in 1 week, after which growth slowed and was 90% completed within only 54 days. The leaves have between three and five lobes and are typically 2” – 4” (5 – 10 cm) wide and long. Welcome to the University of Tennessee Arboretum Tree Identification Guide! It attracts squirrels, who eat its buds in the early spring, although squirrels prefer the larger buds of the silver maple. After they reach maturity, the seeds are dispersed for a 1 to 2 week period from April through July. Red maple has a highly variable leaf shape, and some can look similar to sugar maple, but they are easily distinguished by serrations and the color of the leaf underside. Mature trees have woody roots up to 25 m (82 ft) long. Every year the leaves become brown as well in the summer, as if they are dried or burned up. Throughout maple leaf season, you'll be able to catch maple leaves … Red maple is mortally sensitive to salt, and a salt-affected red maple's leaves can yellow as the tree dies. [16], Red maple's maximum lifespan is 150 years, but most live less than 100 years. The fruits also vary geographically with northern individuals in areas with brief, frost-free periods producing fruits that are shorter and heavier than their southern counterparts. However, the wood from Acer rubrum while being typically less expensive than hard maple, also has greater dimensional stability than that of A. saccharum, and also machines and stains easier. Many of its features, especially its leaves, are quite variable in form. Examining the leaves more closely can help you identify them. Fresh red maple leaves are not the problem. The tree likes Sun at the location and the soil should be loamy-sandy to loamy. Most seedlings do not survive in closed forest canopy situations. This is especially useful for making urban cultivars that require resistance from verticillium wilt, air pollution, and drought.[8]. Though they eventually die if no light reaches them, they serve as a reservoir, waiting to fill any open area of the canopy above. The upper side of A. rubrum's leaf is light green and the underside is whitish and can be either glaucous or hairy. [6] When five lobes are present, the three at the terminal end are larger than the other two near the base. Red maple lumber also contains a greater percentage of "curly" (aka "flame"/"fiddleback") figure, which is prized by musical instrument/custom furniture makers, as well as the veneer industry. A. rubrum's high pH tolerance means that it can grow in a variety of places, and it is widespread along the eastern United States. They also would brew tea from the inner bark to treat coughs and diarrhea. As fall approaches, Japanese red maple leaves turn brown, wilt and defoliate. Photo © Parks Canada / Parcs Canada / Cape Breton / Cap-Breton. In good light and moisture conditions, the seedlings can grow 30 cm (0.98 ft) in their first year and up to 60 cm (2.0 ft) each year for the next few years, making it a fast grower.[8]. The following cultivars are completely male and are highly allergenic, with an OPALS allergy scale rating of 8 or higher:[17], The following cultivars have an OPALS allergy scale rating of 3 or lower; they are completely female trees, and have low potential for causing allergies:[17], The leaves of red maple, especially when dead or wilted, are extremely toxic to horses. In total it ranges 2,600 km (1,600 mi) from north to south. Autumn Background Color. [7], Red maple is a good choice of a tree for urban areas when there is ample room for its root system. How to Mulch With Maple & Oak Leaves. The petriole on a red maple leaf is also distinguishable by its longer length, often growing as long as 2 inches. Furthermore, it is common in swampy areas, along the banks of slow moving streams, as well as on poorly drained flats and depressions. Forming an association with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi can help A. rubrum grow along city streets. If you have the same scenario going on with your tree, don’t panic, this is a very common fungus disease called tar spot and is often seen on the Norway Maple, Silver Maple and the Freeman’s Maple. A tree 30 cm (0.98 ft) in diameter was shown to produce nearly a million seeds. Underside of mature leaves sometimes much lighter in color than top. They are very tolerant of flooding, with one study showing that 60 days of flooding caused no leaf damage. 172 241 17. Find out about some of the most popular maple tree varieties in this article. than other hardwoods such as ash: 7.0 GJ/m3 (24 million British thermal units per cord), oak: 7.0 GJ/m3 (24 million British thermal units per cord), or birch: 6.1 GJ/m3 (21 million British thermal units per cord). [12], The fruit is a samara 15 to 25 millimeters (5⁄8 to 1 in) long that grows in pairs with somewhat divergent wings at an angle of 50 to 60 degrees. [7] The largest known living red maple is located near Armada, Michigan, at a height of 38.1 m (125 ft) and a bole circumference, at breast height, of 4.95 m (16 ft 3 in).[8]. Silver maple or Acer saccharinum. Like several other maples, its low root system can be invasive and it makes a poor choice for plantings near paving. 248 170 35. [8] One of its associates, the black cherry (Prunus serotina), contains benzoic acid, which has been shown to be a potential allelopathic inhibitor of red maple growth. They make excellent shade trees for large backyards, while preferring full-sun exposure. A crop of seeds is generally produced every year with a bumper crop often occurring every second year. Is it a maple tree? The ingestion of 700 grams (1.5 pounds) of leaves is considered toxic and 1.4 kilograms (3 pounds) is lethal. When it comes to fall color, sugar maples are at the top of the list. In the far south of its range, it is almost exclusively associated with swamps. These … The leaves can turn a characteristic brilliant red in autumn, but can also become yellow or orange on some individuals. The pistillate flowers have one pistil formed from two fused carpels with a glabrous superior ovary and two long styles that protrude beyond the perianth. Red maple is most abundant in the Northeastern US, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and northeastern Wisconsin and is rare in the extreme west of its range and in the Southeastern US. Twigs: Most Red Maple twigs appear to be slender and glossy. The seeds of Red maple are quite popular with squirrels and birds. It can be found growing in swamps, on poor dry soils, and almost anywhere in between. 1,102 Free images of Red Maple Leaf. Identify the red maple tree by its leaves, which are 2 to 6 inches wide with three to five shallow lobes. Red maple is a medium quality firewood,[28] possessing less heat energy, nominally 5.4 gigajoules per cubic metre (18.7 million British thermal units per cord) , Symptoms occur within one or two days after ingestion and can include depression, lethargy, increased rate and depth of breathing, increased heart rate, jaundice, dark brown urine, colic, laminitis, coma, and death. The allergenic potential of red maples varies widely based on the cultivar. Early winter, forests across the northwestern mountainous region are dyed the yellowish-red of maple leaves. Autumn Leaves Maple. The U.S. Forest service recognizes it as the most abundant native tree in eastern North America. Below is a partial list of cultivars:[22][23], In the lumber industry Acer rubrum is considered a "soft maple", a designation it shares, commercially, with silver maple (A. saccharinum). I have found previous posts which might contain the answer. Seedlings are tallest in the north-central and east-central part of the range. At first the twigs are green but later in the year they turn a red. In most cases, the leaves will be enough to help you determine what kind of maple you have. The red maple can be considered weedy or even invasive in young, highly disturbed forests, especially frequently logged forests. Distinctive Bark. In winter, buds are easily distinguished. The leaves are usually 9 to 11 centimetres (3 1⁄2 to 4 1⁄4 in) long on a full-grown tree. Underside of mature leaves similar in color or only slightly lighter than top. Trees on poorer sites often become malformed and scraggly. Samaras are also distinctive. Treatment is limited and can include the use of methylene blue or mineral oil and activated carbon in order to stop further absorption of the toxin into the stomach, as well as blood transfusions, fluid support, diuretics, and anti-oxidants such as Vitamin C. About 50% to 75% of affected horses die or are euthanized as a result. Dwarf shoots are present on many branches. They appear in December and January in Florida, later in the northern part of its range. The most abundant tree species in North America, and a habitat generalist, native to a wide range across the eastern part of the continent. Red maple is one of the first species to start stem elongation. Finally, disease epidemics have greatly reduced the population of elms and chestnuts in the forests of the US. Maple Leaf Fall Leave. [8] The density of the tree in many of these areas has increased 6- to 7-fold, and this trend seems to be continuing, all of which is due to human factors, mainly continued heavy logging and a recent trend of young, shrubby forests recovering from past human disturbances. Many cultivars of the Freeman maple are also grown widely. A shade-tolerant deciduous tree of the northeast, often associated with climax communities on rich, mesic sites. Flowers are also red. The Red Maple is botanically called Acer rubrum . The staminate flowers contain between 4 and 12 stamens, often with 8. If the leaf margin, or edge, of your maple's leaves appear serrated, it is probably a red maple. The seeds are epigeal and tend to germinate in early summer soon after they are released, assuming a small amount of light, moisture, and sufficient temperatures are present. [8], Acer rubrum does very well in a wide range of soil types, with varying textures, moisture, pH, and elevation, probably more so than any other forest tree in North America. A maple forest on the road to the top of Nhiu Co San Mountain, which is 2,965 meters above sea level and one of Vietnam’s 10 highest mountains, in Lao Cai Province. [6], The flowers are generally unisexual, with male and female flowers appearing in separate sessile clusters, though they are sometimes also bisexual. As with all North American maple trees, they are deciduous and arranged oppositely on the twig. Elk and white-tailed deer in particular use the current season's growth of red maple as an important source of winter food. Abstract Autumn Bright. Identifying a tree as a red maple (Table 3.2, Figure 3.4) is done from the leaves by observing the 3 lobes (occasionally 5), the paired opposite arrangement of the leaves and the small teeth along the margin; from the bark of older trees by the presence of the scaly plates; from the twig by observing the paired opposite arrangement of the buds, the relatively short, blunt, rounded, red terminal bud and the … [8] Its ability to thrive in a large number of habitats is largely due to its ability to produce roots to suit its site from a young age. Fast growing and tolerant of many soils. The sinuses are typically narrow, but the leaves can exhibit considerable variation. The pistillate flowers are borne on pedicels that grow out while the flowers are blooming, so that eventually the flowers are in a hanging cluster with stems 1 to 5 cm (1⁄2 to 2 in) long. The fall colors of red maple are most spectacular in the northern part of its range where climates are cooler. It grows well from sea level to about 900 m (3,000 ft). [8], Native Americans used red maple bark as a wash for inflamed eyes and cataracts, and as a remedy for hives and muscular aches. 96 118 3. [8] Its ideal conditions are in moderately well-drained, moist sites at low or intermediate elevations. I also have a red maple (Acer palmatum) on the balcony in a pot. It is the wilted green leaves from windfall, pruned limbs or after a heavy frost that can produce poisoning. Leaves: The leaves of the Red Maple are very roughly toothed with 3-5 shallow lobes. Thus, high grades of wood from the red maple can be substituted for hard maple, particularly when it comes to making stain/paint-grade furniture. It is a medium to large sized tree, reaching heights of 27 to 38 metres (90 to 120 ft) and exceptionally over 41 metres (135 feet) in the southern Appalachians where conditions favor its growth. Because the leaves of these species can look so similar, it can be hard to tell exactly what you are looking at. Red maple trees are popular but suffer from a number of problems. Flowers while leafing out. Early winter, forests across the northwestern mountainous region are dyed the yellowish-red of maple leaves. There are fungicides labelled to control Tar Spot on maple trees, but thorough coverage of all leaf surfaces is critical. The buds are usually blunt and greenish to reddish in color, generally with several loose scales. It is used commercially on a small scale for maple syrup production as well as for its medium to high quality lumber. The trunk will remain free of branches until some distance up the tree on forest grown trees, while individuals grown in the open are shorter and thicker with a more rounded crown. In winter, buds are easily distinguished. Red maple is far more abundant today than when Europeans first arrived in North America. In the Northeastern US, red maple can be a climax forest species in certain locations, but will eventually give way to sugar maple. If the seeds are densely shaded, then germination commonly does not occur until the next spring. The leaves are pale green and whitish on the undersides, turning bright red or orange in autumn. [8], In several other locations, the tree is absent from large areas but still present in a few specific habitats. The flowers are red with 5 small petals and a 5-lobed calyx, usually at the twig tips. Autumn Leaves Maple. The trunk diameter often ranges from 46 to 88 cm (18 to 35 in); depending on the growing conditions, however, open grown trees can attain diameter… Buds conspicuous, plump, rounded, and red; side buds as large as terminal buds, and angled outward. Like A. saccharum, the wood of red maple is close-grained, but its texture is softer, less dense, and has not as desirable an appearance, particularly under a clear finish. A. rubrum is not present in most of the Prairie Peninsula of the northern Midwest (although it is found in Ohio), the coastal prairie in southern Louisiana and southeastern Texas and the swamp prairie of the Florida Everglades. In northern Michigan and New England, the tree is found on the tops of ridges, sandy or rocky upland and otherwise dry soils, as well as in nearly pure stands on moist soils and the edges of swamps. Name: Acer saccharum. However, it is nonetheless common in mountainous areas on relatively dry ridges, as well as on both the south and west sides of upper slopes. Due to its attractive fall foliage and pleasing form, it is often used as a shade tree for landscapes. Are you looking for stunning FREE clips to use in your projects? The leaves are lobed and the flowers are red. Red maple frequently hybridizes with silver maple; the hybrid, known as Freeman's maple, Acer × freemanii, is intermediate between the parents. Brings color to your landscape year-round. [8] Red maple's western range stops with the Great Plains where conditions become too dry for it. Samaras are also distinctive. Its popularity in cultivation stems from its vigorous habit, its attractive and early red flowers, and most importantly, its flaming red fall foliage. Because it can grow on a variety of substrates, has a high pH tolerance, and grows in both shade and sun, A. rubrum is a prolific seed producer and highly adaptable, often dominating disturbed sites. [14] It grows on glaciated as well as unglaciated soils derived from the following rocks: granite, gneiss, schist, sandstone, shale, slate, conglomerate, quartzite, and limestone. It only contributed minimally to old growth upland forests, and would only form same-species stands in riparian zones. [19] It is more tolerant of pollution and road salt than sugar maples, although the tree's fall foliage is not as vibrant in this environment. And although red maple (Acer rubrum) is most commonly associated with poisoning in horses, the wilted leaves of silver maple (Acer saccharinum) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum) are also potentially toxic to horses, so should be treated similarly. In Florida, at the extreme south of the red maple's range, it is limited exclusively to swamplands. Certain specific weather conditions can cause leaves to exhibit this behavior before fall, leading many gardeners to erroneously believe the tree is sick when it is simply anticipating fall weather. The tree itself is considered polygamodioecious, meaning some individuals are male, some female, and some monoecious. Identification: Not to be confused with tar spot, these spots appear on a maple's leaves, are tan to brown in the center, and are violently red to purple around the edges. The spots can also be small black pinpricks like a banana or mango that's going bad. This vibrant maple boasts crimson fall leaves, reddish seed pods in early spring, small red flowers from March to May, and reddish stems during the winter. [8] Red maple produces one of the smallest seeds of any of the maples. While many believe that it is replacing historically dominant tree species in the eastern United States such as sugar maples, beeches, oaks, hemlocks and pines, red maple will only dominate young forests prone to natural or human disturbance. Side buds much smaller than terminal buds and angled in the direction of the twig. [8], Acer rubrum is one of the most abundant and widespread trees in eastern North America. As a result of such variation, there is much genetic potential for breeding programs with a goal of producing red maples for cultivation. Red maple is able to increase its numbers significantly when associate trees are damaged by disease, cutting, or fire. This tree if sometimes confused with red-leaved cultivars of Norway maple. In wet locations, red maple seedlings produce short taproots with long, well-developed lateral roots; while on dry sites, they develop long taproots with significantly shorter laterals. The leaves are usually 9 to 11 centimetres (3 ⁄2 to 4 ⁄4 in) long on a full-grown tree. As the tree grows the bark becomes darker and cracks into slightly raised long plates. [6] Generally the crown is irregularly ovoid with ascending whip-like curved shoots. Autumn maple and oak leaves are not just enjoyable for their fall colors; they’re also an effective -- and free -- source of nutrients for grass and plants. The staminate flowers are sessile. Also, the decline of American elm and American chestnut due to introduced diseases has contributed to its spread. NRCS: United States Department of Agriculture Plants Profile and map: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Acer_rubrum&oldid=991074566, Flora of the Great Lakes region (North America), Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 28 November 2020, at 03:22. Acer rubrum, the red maple, also known as swamp, water or soft maple, is one of the most common and widespread deciduous trees of eastern and central North America. Tree Leaf Identification. [8] Additionally, red maple is one of the most drought-tolerant species of maple in the Carolinas.[15]. A single tree between 5 and 20 cm (2.0 and 7.9 in) in diameter can produce between 12,000 and 91,000 seeds in a season. Due to their wide range, genetically the trees have adapted to the climatic differences. [8] The species is native to all regions of the United States east of the 95th meridian. It is a medium to large sized tree, reaching heights of 27 to 38 metres (90 to 120 ft) and exceptionally over 41 metres (135 feet) in the southern Appalachians where conditions favor its growth. [21], Numerous cultivars have been selected, often for intensity of fall color, with 'October Glory' and 'Red Sunset' among the most popular. Types of Acer Maple Trees A fast-growing maple used largely as a shade tree, but with … The vine maple usually has hints of red to go with the predominant green color of the leaf. [8] Under the proper conditions, the tree can sometimes switch from male to female, male to hermaphroditic, and hermaphroditic to female. [18], Red maple's rapid growth, ease of transplanting, attractive form, and value for wildlife (in the eastern US) has made it one of the most extensively planted trees. While many types of tree prefer a south- or north-facing aspect, the red maple does not appear to have a preference. Return to Trees and Shrubs Agent Articles. The red maple is used as a food source by several forms of wildlife. Another excellent method of identification is to examine the stem of the red maple leaf, also known as the stalk or petiole. Sugar maple leaves can be a brilliant orange. The bark is a pale grey and smooth when the individual is young. [citation needed], Red maple is also used for the production of maple syrup, though the hard maples Acer saccharum (sugar maple) and Acer nigrum (black maple) are more commonly utilized. Some people refer to these leaves as having a "star" form or a maple-like silhouette. (zones 3-9) Consuming .03% of dry wilted leaves … Even if you keep your lawn free of infected leaves, the chance of a tree from “down the block” infecting your tree is always present. The leaves of the red maple offer the easiest way to distinguish it from its relatives. The tree was introduced into the United Kingdom in 1656 and shortly thereafter entered cultivation. While mainline forest trees continue to dominate mesic sites with rich soil, more marginal areas are increasingly being dominated by red maple. Red Maple Leaf Autumn. The tree's thin bark is easily damaged from ice and storms, animals, and when used in landscaping, being struck by flying debris from lawn mowers, allowing fungi to penetrate and cause heart rot. [5], Though A. rubrum is usually easy to identify, it is highly changeable in morphological characteristics. 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, and hemlocks thrive. As a soft maple, the wood tends to shrink more during the drying process than with the hard maples. 279 300 41. [15] Fertilization has also been shown to significantly increase the seed yield for up to two years after application. It might be too much direct sunlight (the tree likes shade), or it might be too much wind. [20], Red maples make vibrant and colorful bonsai, and have year around attractive features for display. The toxin is unknown, but believed to be an oxidant because it damages red blood cells, causing acute oxidative hemolysis that inhibits the transport of oxygen. At maturity, it often attains a height of around 30 m (100 ft). In parts of the Pacific Northwest, it is one of the most common introduced trees. Red Maple trees such as Autumn Blaze Maple or October Glory can have shades of orange and red. The absence of red maple from the Prairie Peninsula is most likely due to the tree's poor tolerance of wildfires. Flowers well before leafing out. Maple trees shed their leaves near the top of Nam Kang Ho Tao, which connects Lai Chau to Lao Cai. Red maple has a paler, almost whitish shade of green on its undersides as opposed to the dull green above. If you happen to be in spring, try spotting some samaras on your tree. This will often be red or at least have a reddish tint to it on the front side. The tree's range ends where the −40 °C (−40 °F) mean minimum isotherm begins, namely in southeastern Canada. [4] The red maple ranges from southeastern Manitoba around the Lake of the Woods on the border with Ontario and Minnesota, east to Newfoundland, south to Florida, and southwest to eastern Texas.