Red Maple
Acer rubrum
One of the most widely planted and adaptable native shade trees, with early-spring red flowers and reliable red fall color. Fast growth often produces codominant stems and included bark, so structural pruning when young pays off. Tolerates wet sites.
Field reference
Family
Sapindaceae
Growth rate
Fast
Mature size
40–60 ft tall, 30–40 ft spread
Hardiness zone
3–9
Soil preference
Adaptable — wet to moderately dry, acidic soils preferred
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Pruning window
Summer (after leaf-out) to limit sap bleed
Wood properties
Moderately soft, diffuse-porous 'soft maple' (~0.54 SG). Weaker than sugar maple; prone to included bark and codominant stems — inspect unions before rigging.
Native range
Eastern North America, Newfoundland to Florida and west to Texas
Green weight
50 lb/ft³
Pests & diseases to watch
Spotted Lanternflypest · High severity · peak Nymphs spring–summer; conspicuous winged adults July–November; eggs overwinterAsian Longhorned Beetlepest · Severe severity · peak Adults active and emerging July through OctoberBacterial Leaf Scorchdisease · High severity · peak Symptoms most visible mid-summer to fall (July–October)Verticillium Wiltfungus · High severity · peak Symptoms appear in summer, often after heat or drought stress (June–September)Scale Insectspest · Moderate severity · peak Vulnerable mobile 'crawlers' emerge late spring–summer (species dependent)Cankerworm (Inchworm)pest · Moderate severity · peak Larvae feed and defoliate in spring (April–May) as leaves expand
Common questions
Why does my red maple have two trunks splitting apart?
Fast-growing red maples frequently form codominant stems with included bark, a weak union prone to failure. Subordinate or remove one leader early, or cable mature stems after assessment.
Is red maple a good choice for a wet yard?
Yes — it naturally grows in swampy ground and tolerates periodic flooding far better than sugar maple, though it also handles average soils well.
Related species in Sapindaceae
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