Excellent specimen or shade tree for large areas. Habit is pyramidal when young then develops irregularly rounded crown. One of the first trees to color in fall, leaves may be bright yellow, flaming orange or red. Medium to fast growth rate. Early flowers (March) and nice, bi-colored foliage in fall color. Early spring nectar and pollen for bees. Hosts to many moths, including rose moth. Provides seeds for small animals, like squirrels.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Red Maple
Acer rubrum
Plant Type: Trees
Native Environment: Forest
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June), Late (July - frost)
Main Color: Green
Fall Color: Red
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data


Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade

Soil
Moisture
Moderate

Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Pollinators/Beneficial Insects

Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Host, Cover, Nesting

Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
40 to
70
feet
Spread:
30 to
60
feet
Size
Height: 40 to
70
feet
Spread: 30 to
60
feet
Size
Height: 40 to
70
feet
Spread: 30 to
60
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Excellent specimen tree or shade tree for large areas. Provides cover for songbirds and birds of prey.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Grows best in rich, moist soil. Do not try to grow in poor, dry soil in western regions of Missouri (except in Ozarks).
Special Features
Special Usage
Rainscaping
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.