Red Maple Trees
Named to reflect its brilliant red autumn foliage. Due to its ability to thrive in a wide variety of soils and climates, the Red Maple is one of the most common hardwood trees in North America.
Red Maples can be identified based on the following characteristics:
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Tree : The Red Maple grows to 60 - 90 feet tall. The bright red fall color derives its name. Grows in both dry and wet soil conditions. Lives up to 150 years. |
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Habitat : Eastern North America, extending into Quebec, Ontario, and south into Florida. Found as far west as Minnesota and Texas. |
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Bark : The bark on young trees is light grey and smooth. On mature trees, the bark is darker, with grey or black ridges and narrow, scaly plates. |
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Leaf : The leaf is 2 - 6 inches wide, usually with 3 lobes. The margins of the leaf contain small, sharp teeth. The mature leaves are light green with a whitish underside. |
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Twig / Bud : The twig is slender, shiny, and reddish in color. Buds are blunt, clustered, and 1/8—1/4 inch long. |
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Fruit : The V-shaped, double-winged fruit develops in clusters, and is ½ - 1 inch long. The fruit matures in the spring (as opposed to the fall for a Sugar or Black Maple). |
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