Description
Maple, Red 1-0 (Acer rubrum)
Zone 3-9
Full sun to shade tolerant
Red maple reaches a mature size of up to 90 feet in height and 2½ feet in diameter. It grows on a variety of sites, from dry ridges to swamps. The light cream-colored wood is used for furniture, turnery, woodenware and paper pulp. Red maple can be tapped for syrup-making. The fruit and buds are a primary food source for gray squirrels in late winter and early spring. Birds and mice eat the seeds, and deer browse the young sprouts. Red maple is a popular shade and ornamental tree, with brilliant fall color.
