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Summary
Bloom Color: Red.
Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Early winter, Late spring, Late winter, Mid spring, Mid winter. Form: Oval, Rounded, Upright or erect.
Physical Characteristics
Acer rubrum is a deciduous Tree growing to 30 m (98ft 5in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from March to April, and the seeds ripen from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Canopy;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Inner bark Leaves Sap Seed
Edible Uses: Sweetener
The sap contains sugar and this can be used as a drink or be concentrated into a syrup by boiling off the water[2, 11, 74, 159]. The syrup is used as a sweetener on many foods. This species only yields about half the quantity obtained from the sugar maple (A. saccharum)[4]. It makes a good maple syrup although the yield is comparatively small[183]. It can be harvested in late winter, the flow is best on warm sunny days following a frost. The best sap production comes from cold-winter areas with continental climates. Inner bark - cooked[105, 177]. It is dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickening in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread[161]. Self-sown seedlings, gathered in early spring, are eaten fresh or dried for later use[213]. Seeds - cooked. The wings are removed and the seeds boiled then eaten hot[213]. The seed is very small, about 5mm long, and is produced in small clusters[K].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antispasmodic Astringent Dysentery Ophthalmic
The bark has astringent properties and has been used as an application for sore eyes[4]. The inner bark was used according to one report[257]. An infusion of the bark has been used to treat cramps and dysentery[257].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Basketry Companion Dye Pioneer Preservative Wood
The leaves are packed around apples, rootcrops etc to help preserve them[18, 20]. The boiled inner bark yields a purple colour[4, 57, 82]. Mixed with lead sulphate this produces a black dye which can also be used as an ink[4]. The dye is dark blue according to another report[95]. The wood is used to make basket splints[257]. This species can successfully establish itself in recently cleared areas and partially open woodlands[229]. It can therefore be used as a pioneer species to speed the regeneration of woodland[K]. Wood - not strong, close grained, hard, very heavy[46, 82, 227]. It weighs 38lb per cubic foot[227]. The grain of some old specimens is undulated, this gives beautiful effects of light and shade on polished surfaces[4]. The wood is commonly used for making furniture, turnery, pulp, etc[46, 82, 227].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Landscape Uses:Firewood, Aggressive surface roots possible, Specimen, Street tree, Woodland garden. Of easy cultivation, it prefers a good moist well-drained soil[11, 98], though this species succeeds in wetter soils than most other members of the genus. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes chalk according to one report[98], whilst others say that it does less well on chalk[200], often becoming chlorotic as a result of iron deficiency. Prefers a sunny position but tolerates some shade. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[200]. A fast-growing tree for the first 20 - 30years of its life, it may live for 75 - 100 years[229]. Red maple is a bad companion plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants[18, 20]. A variable species with several sub-species[227], there are also many named varieties that have been selected for their ornamental value[200]. This species is often confused with A. saccharinum[11]. Special Features:Attracts birds, North American native, Naturalizing, Wetlands plant, Attractive flowers or blooms.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the spring in a cold frame. It usually germinates immediately and by the end of summer has formed a small tree with several pairs of leaves[82]. Stored seed quickly loses its viability. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours and then stratify for 2 - 4 months at 1 - 8°c. It can be slow to germinate. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until they are 20cm or more tall before planting them out in their permanent positions. Layering, which takes about 12 months, is successful with most species in this genus. Cuttings of young shoots in June or July. The cuttings should have 2 - 3 pairs of leaves, plus one pair of buds at the base. Remove a very thin slice of bark at the base of the cutting, rooting is improved if a rooting hormone is used. The rooted cuttings must show new growth during the summer before being potted up otherwise they are unlikely to survive the winter.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Québec (south), Nova Scotia, Ontario (south), Newfoundland and Labrador (south), Manitoba (southeast)), United States (Connecticut, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas)
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
This plant can be weedy or invasive in Northeast USA.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.
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| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Acer acuminatum | | Tree | 6.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Acer argutum | | Tree | 8.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Acer caesium | | Tree | 15.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Acer campestre | Field Maple, Hedge maple | Tree | 15.0 |
4-8
| F | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Acer carpinifolium | Hornbeam Maple | Shrub | 10.0 |
4-7
| S | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Acer circinatum | Vine Maple | Tree | 12.0 |
6-9
| S | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Acer crataegifolium | Hawthorn-Leaved Maple | Tree | 10.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Acer distylum | | Tree | 15.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Acer ginnala | Amur Maple | Tree | 10.0 |
3-8
| F | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Acer glabrum | Rock Maple, Rocky Mountain maple, Douglas maple, Greene's maple, New Mexico maple, Torrey maple | Tree | 9.0 |
3-8
| S | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Acer interius | Box Elder | Tree | 20.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Acer macrophyllum | Oregon Maple, Bigleaf maple, Oregon Maple | Tree | 30.0 |
5-9
| F | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Acer mono | Maple | Tree | 15.0 |
3-8
| S | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Acer negundo | Box Elder | Tree | 21.0 |
3-8
| F | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Acer oblongum | | Tree | 9.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Acer palmatum | Japanese Maple | Tree | 8.0 |
6-8
| S | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Acer pectinatum | Maple | Tree | 10.0 |
3-6
| S | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Acer pensylvanicum | Moosewood, Striped maple, Moosewood, Pennsylvania Maple | Tree | 4.5 |
3-7
| | LMH | N | M | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Acer platanoides | Norway Maple, Harlequin Maple | Tree | 21.0 |
3-7
| F | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Acer pseudoplatanus | Sycamore, Great Maple, Scottish Maple, Planetree Maple | Tree | 30.0 |
4-7
| F | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Acer saccharinum | Silver Maple, River Maple, Soft Maple | Tree | 30.0 |
3-9
| F | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Acer saccharum | Sugar Maple, Florida Maple, Hard Maple, Rock Maple | Tree | 30.0 |
4-8
| S | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| Acer saccharum grandidentatum | Big-Tooth Maple, Canyon Maple, Rocky Mountain Sugar Maple | Tree | 12.0 |
5-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Acer saccharum nigrum | Black Maple | Tree | 25.0 |
4-6
| S | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Acer spicatum | Mountain Maple | Tree | 10.0 |
3-6
| S | LMH | N | M | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Acer sterculiaceum | | Tree | 6.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Acer tataricum | Tatarian Maple | Tree | 9.0 |
3-7
| M | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Acer truncatum | Shantung Maple, Purpleblow Maple | Tree | 8.0 |
3-8
| S | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Acer ukurunduense caudatum | | Tree | 20.0 |
-
| S | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | 3 |
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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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