Family: Sapindaceae
Common Name: red maple
Origin/Ecology: Native to eastern and central North America. Wet bottomland, river flood plains and wet woods.
Habit: Medium-sized tree, grows to 40-60′ tall with a rounded to oval crown.
Leaves: Emerging new growth leaves, leafstalks, veins, twigs, flowers, fruit and fall colour are red or tinged with red. Leaves 2-5″ long, 3 principal triangular lobes (sometimes 5 lobes with the two lower lobes being largely suppressed). Lobes have toothed margins and pointed tips. Leaves are medium to dark green above and gray green below.
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Flowers and Fruit: Flowers appear in late winter to early spring before the leaves, bright red, no petals. Fruit is two-winged samara, emerging red.
Bark:
Water Use, Soil: Average, medium to wet, well-drained soil. Tolerates wide range but prefers moist, slightly acid conditions.
Exposure: Full sun to part shade.
Landscape Uses: Specimen tree, streets, parks.
Limitations: Shallow root system may buckle sidewalks or driveways. Leaf hoppers can cause substantial damage.
Other Features: Fast-growing, branches w/ narrow angles, break easily.