Red maple (Acer rubrum)

Large trees

• Maximum height
  90 feet
• Relative growth rate
  Excellent
• Freedom from insect pests
  Good
• Freedom from disease problems
  Good
• Resistance to storm damage
  Poor
• Will grow on poorly drained soil
  Excellent
• Will grow in hot, dry areas
  Poor
• Easy to transplant
  Good
• Withstands city conditions
  Poor

The flowers of the red maple are one of the first signs of spring. The profusion of tiny red flowers with the background of smooth gray bark is a beautiful sight. Red maple is also one of the first trees to change color in the fall. Some trees develop a good red fall color, but many of them do not. Several improved varieties of red maple produce outstanding fall color. There are also varieties available with a narrow crown.

Red maple is easy to transplant and grows rapidly. However it is relatively weak wooded and subject to storm damage.