Red Maple

Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

Also known as: swamp maple



Bloom time: March - April

Additional photos:

• Acer rubrum before bloom showing male flowers
  credit: Madonna Bishop
• Acer rubrum first bloom
  credit: Madonna Bishop
• Acer rubrum leafing
  credit: Rowena Hopkins

General:

• Small to medium-sized deciduous tree with grey bark, which is scaly on older trees.
• Flowers appear before the leaves, as opposed to sugar maple where flowers appear as the leaves emerge.

Leaves & Twigs

• Twigs are slender, shiny and dark red with whitish dots.
• Leaf buds are rounded, dark red-wine in colour.
• Leaves are red-tinged in spring, green in summer and bright red in fall.

Flowers & Fruits:

• Flowers emerge from dark red buds in early spring and form dense, short-stalked clusters.
• Male and female flowers usually grow on different branches of the same tree, but they can appear on separate trees.
• Male flowers are red, while female flowers are yellowish green.
• Note: Observe only the male flowers for PlantWatch.

Habitat: These trees are often found in swamps and in moist soils. Moderately shade-tolerant, they also thrive in drier habitats.

PlantWatch Pointers: Tag a typical tree for observation.

To Observe:

• First bloom: when the first male flowers are open on the observed tree (3 places).
• Mid bloom: when 50% of the flowers are open on the observed tree.
• Leafing: when the first leaves push out of the bud and unfold completely (3 places).

Distribution Map:



This species is monitored in:

• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec

Red maple bark once was used to make dark red, brown, or black dyes.