Red Maple Tree - Acer rubrum

The Red Maple Tree (Acer rubrum) is a must have for any landscape. A common tree, and for good reason! This tree is tall and statuesque and boasts bright red leaves in the fall. A perfect shade tree for your home during the summer months.

Plant Details - Red Maple Tree

Family: Sapindaceae

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Water Needs: Moist

Height: 50 – 60 ft.

Spread: 30 – 40 ft.

Growth Rate: Fast

Bloom Time: Spring

Flower Color: Red

Wildlife Value: Attracts bees, butterflies

Landscape Uses and Maintenance – Red Maple

The Red Maple Tree is a fast growing, broadleaved deciduous tree that is an essential to any landscape, business, or home property. It is found in nearly every type of landscape on the East Coast and spreads in woodlands.

Tiny red flowers bloom in spring and will attract bees. The flowers are pollinated and replaced with their “fruit”, the characteristic red two-winged seeds called samaras. This tree has beautiful bark that thickens with age.

Plant in a location that has well draining soil. It is tolerant of many soils. It grows best in sandy to loamy soil but can tolerate some clay. Make sure to plant in a location accounting for its expansive spread at maturity.

This plant can tolerate some shade but grows best in full sun.

This is a low maintenance tree that will add beauty to your landscape. Let Mother Nature do the watering after the initial planting season.

Fertilize with a balanced nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium fertilizer to ensure your tree is growing optimally throughout the year. You can do this twice a year at the beginning of spring and fall, making sure to skip fertilizer the first season it is planted.

This tree is disease resistant.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Hi, neighbor! Woodpeckers, including Downy Woodpeckers, and Wood Thrushes will nest in your Red Maple Tree.

This tree is also the host plant for the Rosy Maple Moth while it’s in caterpillar stage.

While not the preferred choice for syrup production, this tree’s sap can be used for maple syrup production. Sugar Maples are the preferred choice for syrup production.

This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery

Height at Maturity

Over 25 Feet

Care

Red Maple trees thrive in well-drained, moist soil. Water regularly, especially during dry periods, and mulch to keep moisture and suppress weeds. Prune to maintain shape and remove dead branches. Fertilize in early spring for optimal growth.

Plant Reproduction

Red Maple Tree spreads via wind-dispersed seeds and root sprouts.

How to Grow and Care for Bare Root Trees

Bare root trees are shipped dormant without soil, making them lightweight, cost-effective, and easy to plant during the cool months of early spring or fall. To begin, soak the roots in a bucket of water for 4–6 hours before planting to rehydrate them. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil and ample space for the tree’s mature size.

Dig a hole twice as wide as the spread of the roots and deep enough to keep the root flare (where the roots begin to spread from the trunk) at or slightly above ground level. Create a small mound of soil in the center of the hole, spread the roots evenly over it, backfill with native soil, and gently tamp down to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting.

Keep the soil consistently moist (not soggy) during the first growing season, and apply mulch around the base—avoiding direct contact with the trunk—to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Stake the tree if necessary, and prune only to remove dead or damaged branches. With proper care, your bare root tree will establish quickly and grow strong for years to come.

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We do not accept returned plants. If you purchased an extended warranty we do accept claims, please navigate to the warranty page for instructions HERE