Acer rubrum

Red maple

Distinguishing feature: Leaves have three lobes similar to those of trident maple, but red maple leaf edges are not smooth.

  • Type: Deciduous.
  • Form in maturity: Upright oval.
  • Leaf: Shiny green, three lobes, sometimes five, with toothed edges and pale undersides. Red fall color where frost occurs.
  • Flower: Small dense bundles with reddish petals, occurring in winter before leaves.
  • Bark: Smooth, whitish gray, darkening and developing shallow fissures with age.
  • Fruit or seed: Winged seed pairs, reddish-green to tan, 1/2”-1” long, mature in late spring.
  • Other: Many varieties exist, and some trees sold as red maples are actually red maple-silver maple hybrids.

Read more about this tree at UFEI's Selectree website

Acer-rubrum-acru312-OSU
© Pat Breen, OSU		 Acer-rubrum-bark-Selectree
© 2011		 Acer-rubrum-acru6970-OSU
© Pat Breen, OSU