Scientific Name:
Acer rubrum
Pronunciation:
AY-sur ROO-brum
Common Name:
red maple
Family Name:
Sapindaceae
Plant Type:
Tree - deciduous
Key ID Features:
Leaves opposite, orbicular, most 5-13cm long x 6-14cm wide, with 3 major acute-tipped lobes, margins softly serrate, base rounded to cordate, fall colour vibrant red; florets red (hence the common name), appear before the leaves; schizocarps red, 1.3-1.8cm wide, thick edge of wings at 90-100 degree angle when mature (narrower than Norway maple), samaras 1.5-2cm long. Winter ID: buds red, glabrous (terminal buds multiple, 3-4mm long, lateral buds, opposite, 5-7mm long); flower buds more rounded, in clusters that circle twigs (gives the branches a bumpy look).
Habit:
Open
Form:
Columnar, Oval - vertical, Pyramidal - narrowly, Round
Texture:
Medium - coarse
Mature Height:
15 - 22m
Mature Spread:
10 - 15m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Canada - eastern, U.S. - northeast
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 3: (-40 to -34 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Acidic
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Fall interest, Specimen plant
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown or on campus may include A. 'Armstrong' (columnar), A. 'Bowhall' (columnar), A. 'Franksred' (Red Sunset), and A. 'October Glory'.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple, Lobed
Arrangement:
Opposite
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Palmate venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Fall:
Red
Shapes:
Ovate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Cordate, Rounded, Truncate
Margins:
Ciliate, Double serrate, Palmately lobed
Additional Info:
Spectacular fall colour, Images are of A. ‘Bowhall’ and A. ‘Red Sunset’.
Inflorescence Type:
Corymb
Flower Morphology:
Monoecious plant
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Funnelform
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Not showy, Red
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Mar, Apr
Fruit Type:
Samara, Schizocarp
Fruit Colour:
Red, Brown
Fruiting Time:
Jun, Jul
Additional Info:
Schizocarps split into samara-like mericarps after dispersal
Bark Morphology:
Smooth, Moderately fissured
Bark or Stem Colour:
Grey, Dark Grey
Additional Info:
Image is of A. ‘Bowhall'
Leaf Bud Type:
Accessory (collateral), Ovoid
Leaf Scar Shape:
Crescent shaped
Propagation:
Seed, Softwood cuttings, Grafting
Pest Susceptibility:
Heteroptera - true bugs, Mites, Stem borer insects, Wilt (Drought tolerant)
Specific Pests:
Course(s):
- AARB 1012
- CLT Training
- HORT 1155
- Level 2 Apprenticeship
Location(s):
- (BCE) Boulevard (Circular) Eastend : cv. Franksred
- (BCW) Boulevard (Circular) Westend : cv. Bowhall