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|sun_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|sun_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
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|water_ref=Complete Landscaping - ISBN 9780376009272
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|flower_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|flower_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
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|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|usda_ref=Complete Landscaping - ISBN 9780376009272
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|image=Acer rubrum 001.jpg
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'''''Acer rubrum''''' ('''Red Maple''', also known as '''Swamp''' or '''Soft Maple'''), is one of the most common and widespread deciduous [[tree]]s of [[Eastern United States|eastern]] [[North America]]. It ranges from the [[Lake of the Woods]] on the border between [[Ontario]] and [[Minnesota]], east to [[Newfoundland and Labrador|Newfoundland]], south to near [[Miami, Florida|Miami]], [[Florida]], and southwest to east [[Texas]]. Many of its features, especially its leaves, are quite variable in form. At maturity it often attains a height of around 15 m (50 ft). It is aptly named as 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.
'''''Acer rubrum''''' ('''Red Maple''', also known as '''Swamp''' or '''Soft Maple'''), is one of the most common and widespread deciduous [[tree]]s of [[Eastern United States|eastern]] [[North America]]. It ranges from the [[Lake of the Woods]] on the border between [[Ontario]] and [[Minnesota]], east to [[Newfoundland and Labrador|Newfoundland]], south to near [[Miami, Florida|Miami]], [[Florida]], and southwest to east [[Texas]]. Many of its features, especially its leaves, are quite variable in form. At maturity it often attains a height of around 15 m (50 ft). It is aptly named as 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 in swamps, on poor dry soils, and most anywhere in between. Elevation is also not a limiting factor in its range, as it grows well from [[sea level]] to about 900 m (3,000 ft). 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 for [[maple syrup]] production as well as for its medium to high quality lumber. It is also the [[List of U.S. state trees|State Tree of Rhode Island]].
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 in swamps, on poor dry soils, and most anywhere in between. Elevation is also not a limiting factor in its range, as it grows well from [[sea level]] to about 900 m (3,000 ft). 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 for [[maple syrup]] production as well as for its medium to high quality lumber. It is also the [[List of U.S. state trees|State Tree of Rhode Island]].
Though ''A. rubrum'' is usually easy to identify, it is highly changeable in morphological characteristics. It is a medium to large sized tree, reaching heights of 18 to 27 meters (60 to 90 feet) and exceptionally over 35 meters (115 ft).The leaves are usually 9 to 11 cm (3½ in. to 4⅜ in.) long on a full grown tree. The trunk diameter can range from 46 to 76 cm (18 to 30 inches), depending on the growing conditions.<ref name="USDF">{{cite web | last =Walters | first =R. S. | coauthors =Yawney, H. W. | title =Acer rubrum, Florida Maple | work = Silvics of Forest Trees of the United States, Volume 2 | publisher = United States Department of Forestry | date =1965, revised December 1990 | url =http://na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/acer/rubrum.htm | accessdate =2007-05-09}}</ref> Its spread is about 12 m (40 ft). A 10-year-old sapling will stand about 6 m (20 ft) tall. In forests, the bark will remain free of branches until some distance up the tree. Individuals grown in the open are shorter and thicker with a more rounded crown.<ref name="VT">{{cite web | last =Seiler | first =John R. | coauthors = Jensen, Edward C.; Peterson, John A. | title =Acer rubrum Fact Sheet | work = Virginia Tech Dendrology Tree Fact Sheets | publisher = Virginia Tech | date= | url =http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=1 | accessdate =2007-05-09}}</ref> Generally speaking, however, the crown is irregularly ovoid with ascending whip-like curved shoots. The [[bark]] is a pale grey and smooth when the individual is young. As the tree grows the bark becomes darker and cracks into slightly raised long plates.<ref name="Mitchell"/> 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 (16.25 ft).<ref name="USDF"/>
Though ''A. rubrum'' is usually easy to identify, it is highly changeable in morphological characteristics. It is a medium to large sized tree, reaching heights of 18 to 27 meters (60 to 90 feet) and exceptionally over 35 meters (115 ft).The leaves are usually 9 to 11 cm (3½ in. to 4⅜ in.) long on a full grown tree. The trunk diameter can range from 46 to 76 cm (18 to 30 inches), depending on the growing conditions.<ref name="USDF">{{cite web | last =Walters | first =R. S. | coauthors =Yawney, H. W. | title =Acer rubrum, Florida Maple | work = Silvics of Forest Trees of the United States, Volume 2 | publisher = United States Department of Forestry | date =1965, revised December 1990 | url =http://na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/acer/rubrum.htm | accessdate =2007-05-09}}</ref> Its spread is about 12 m (40 ft). A 10-year-old sapling will stand about 6 m (20 ft) tall. In forests, the bark will remain free of branches until some distance up the tree. Individuals grown in the open are shorter and thicker with a more rounded crown.<ref name="VT">{{cite web | last =Seiler | first =John R. | coauthors = Jensen, Edward C.; Peterson, John A. | title =Acer rubrum Fact Sheet | work = Virginia Tech Dendrology Tree Fact Sheets | publisher = Virginia Tech | date= | url =http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=1 | accessdate =2007-05-09}}</ref> Generally speaking, however, the crown is irregularly ovoid with ascending whip-like curved shoots. The [[bark]] is a pale grey and smooth when the individual is young. As the tree grows the bark becomes darker and cracks into slightly raised long plates.<ref name="Mitchell"/> 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 (16.25 ft).<ref name="USDF"/>
The [[leaf|leaves]] of the red maple offer the easiest way to distinguish it from its relatives. As with nearly all maple trees, they are [[deciduous]] and arranged oppositely on the twig. They are typically 5–10 cm (2-4 inches) long and wide with 3-5 palmate lobes with a serrated margin. The sinuses are typically narrow, but the leaves can exhibit considerable variation.<ref name ="VT"/> When 5 lobes are present, the three at the terminal end are larger than the other two near the base. In contrast, the leaves of the related [[silver maple]], ''A. saccharinum'', are much more deeply lobed, more sharply toothed and characteristically have 5 lobes. The upper side of ''A. rubrum'''s leaf is light green and the underside is whitish and can be either glaucous or hairy. The leaf stalks are usually red and are up to 10 cm (4 inches) long. Furthermore, the leaves turn a brilliant red in autumn.
The [[leaf|leaves]] of the red maple offer the easiest way to distinguish it from its relatives. As with nearly all maple trees, they are [[deciduous]] and arranged oppositely on the twig. They are typically 5–10 cm (2-4 inches) long and wide with 3-5 palmate lobes with a serrated margin. The sinuses are typically narrow, but the leaves can exhibit considerable variation.<ref name ="VT"/> When 5 lobes are present, the three at the terminal end are larger than the other two near the base. In contrast, the leaves of the related [[silver maple]], ''A. saccharinum'', are much more deeply lobed, more sharply toothed and characteristically have 5 lobes. The upper side of ''A. rubrum'''s leaf is light green and the underside is whitish and can be either glaucous or hairy. The leaf stalks are usually red and are up to 10 cm (4 inches) long. Furthermore, the leaves turn a brilliant red in autumn.
The [[twig]]s of the red maple are reddish in color and somewhat shiny with small [[lenticel]]s. Dwarf shoots are present on many branches. The [[bud]]s are usually blunt and greenish to reddish in color, generally with several loose scales. The lateral buds are slightly stalked, and in addition there may be collateral buds present as well. The buds form in fall and winter and are often visible from a distance due to their reddish tint. The leaf scars on the twig are V-shaped and contain 3 bundle scars.<ref name="VT"/>
The [[twig]]s of the red maple are reddish in color and somewhat shiny with small [[lenticel]]s. Dwarf shoots are present on many branches. The [[bud]]s are usually blunt and greenish to reddish in color, generally with several loose scales. The lateral buds are slightly stalked, and in addition there may be collateral buds present as well. The buds form in fall and winter and are often visible from a distance due to their reddish tint. The leaf scars on the twig are V-shaped and contain 3 bundle scars.<ref name="VT"/>
The [[flower]]s are generally unisexual, with male and female flowers appearing in separate [[Sessility (botany)|sessile]] clusters, though they are sometimes also bisexual. They appear in spring from April to May, usually coming before the leaves. The tree itself is considered Polygamodioecious, meaning some individuals are male, some female, and some [[monoecious]].<ref name="USDF"/> The flowers are red with 5 small petals and a 5-lobed [[sepal|calyx]] borne in hanging clusters, usually at the twig tips. They are lineal to oblong in shape and are pubescent. The pistillate flowers have one [[pistil]] formed from two fused carpels with a glabrous superior ovary and two long [[Style (botany)|styles]] that protrude beyond the [[perianth]]. The staminate flowers contain between 4 and 12 [[stamen]]s, often with 8.<ref name="Ontario">{{cite web | last =Goertz | first =D. | title =Acer rubrum plant description | publisher = Northern Ontario Plant Database | date = | url =http://www.northernontarioflora.ca/description.cfm?speciesid=1000050 | accessdate =2007-05-10}}</ref>
The [[flower]]s are generally unisexual, with male and female flowers appearing in separate [[Sessility (botany)|sessile]] clusters, though they are sometimes also bisexual. They appear in spring from April to May, usually coming before the leaves. The tree itself is considered Polygamodioecious, meaning some individuals are male, some female, and some [[monoecious]].<ref name="USDF"/> The flowers are red with 5 small petals and a 5-lobed [[sepal|calyx]] borne in hanging clusters, usually at the twig tips. They are lineal to oblong in shape and are pubescent. The pistillate flowers have one [[pistil]] formed from two fused carpels with a glabrous superior ovary and two long [[Style (botany)|styles]] that protrude beyond the [[perianth]]. The staminate flowers contain between 4 and 12 [[stamen]]s, often with 8.<ref name="Ontario">{{cite web | last =Goertz | first =D. | title =Acer rubrum plant description | publisher = Northern Ontario Plant Database | date = | url =http://www.northernontarioflora.ca/description.cfm?speciesid=1000050 | accessdate =2007-05-10}}</ref>
The [[fruit]] is a 15 to 25 millimeter (.5 to .75 inch) long double [[Samara (fruit)|samara]] with somewhat divergent wings at an angle of 50 to 60 degrees. They are borne on long slender stems and are variable in color from light brown to reddish.<ref name="VT"/> They ripen from April through early June, before even the leaf development is altogether complete. After they reach maturity, the seeds are dispersed for a 1 to 2 week period from April through July.<ref name="USDF"/>
The [[fruit]] is a 15 to 25 millimeter (.5 to .75 inch) long double [[Samara (fruit)|samara]] with somewhat divergent wings at an angle of 50 to 60 degrees. They are borne on long slender stems and are variable in color from light brown to reddish.<ref name="VT"/> They ripen from April through early June, before even the leaf development is altogether complete. After they reach maturity, the seeds are dispersed for a 1 to 2 week period from April through July.<ref name="USDF"/>
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