Trees of Treehaven

Red Maple Acer rubrum

Foliage Type: leaf Arrangement: simple, opposite

Distinguishing features:

leaves 3 to 5-lobed, much whitened beneath, red petioles
notches between lobes relatively shallow
base of terminal lobe is wide
smooth gray bark on young trees, darker broken bark on older trees
flowers red (March - May), fruits reddish (May - July)

Habitats:

dry mesic sites
mesic sites
wet mesic sites

Often confused with:

Sugar maple
Mountain maple

Ecological Value:

seeds eaten by birds and squirrels
inner bark eaten by porcupine
twigs eaten by rabbits, hares, deer, and moose

Did You Know?

Red maple

is one of the first trees to flower in the spring.
is the most abundant and widespread tree of eastern North America.
provides brilliant fall color of scarlet.

Uses / Ethnobotanical uses:

decoction of bark used as a wash to cure sore eyes
ornamental landscaping
shade
lumber
sugar (may be used for syrup)
furniture

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Last updated on September 14, 1999.

Please send any suggestions or corrections to H. Knodle

Habitats:	dry mesic sites mesic sites wet mesic sites
Often confused with:	Sugar maple Mountain maple
Ecological Value:	seeds eaten by birds and squirrels inner bark eaten by porcupine twigs eaten by rabbits, hares, deer, and moose
Did You Know?	Red maple is one of the first trees to flower in the spring. is the most abundant and widespread tree of eastern North America. provides brilliant fall color of scarlet.
Uses / Ethnobotanical uses:	decoction of bark used as a wash to cure sore eyes ornamental landscaping shade lumber sugar (may be used for syrup) furniture