Why Red Maple Tree Is My Favorite
The species of red maple is acer rubrum. And there are literally dozens if not hundreds of cultivars or cultivated varieties. These come with different growth habits and are appropriate to certain climates and growing conditions. It is also called swamp maple.
But... the really neat thing about acer rubrum is the broad geographical range where the tree grows, from South Florida right up to the Arctic Circle and that is amazing. Obviously, seedlings from Florida won't survive in Deer Lake but... this plant has over the eons, adapted to a huge range of climatic growing conditions.
Ok, so how do you really pick a favorite plant with thousands to choose from?
The red maple or acer rubrum, is one of the most magnificent trees in the continent and most plentiful.
I have spent most of my working life growing trees for landscaping and have grown hundreds of species and cultivars and hundreds of thousands if not millions of trees, too many to count!
But... the really neat thing about acer rubrum is the broad geographical range where the tree grows, from South Florida right up to the Arctic Circle and that is amazing. Obviously, seedlings from Florida won't survive in Deer Lake but... this plant has over the eons, adapted to a huge range of climatic growing conditions.
Ok, so how do you really pick a favorite plant with thousands to choose from?
The red maple or acer rubrum, is one of the most magnificent trees in the continent and most plentiful.
I have spent most of my working life growing trees for landscaping and have grown hundreds of species and cultivars and hundreds of thousands if not millions of trees, too many to count!
What is Red Maple?
First of all, what red maple is not! It is not the red leafed maple you see throughout the continent. This is royal red or crimson king and there are even other cultivars like crimson sentry. These are cultivars of Norway maple, acer platanoides.
Then what is red maple?
Red maple (Acer Rubrum) is known to be the most plentiful tree in North American forests and is indeed, one of the most beautiful! It is typically 50 - 60 ft. but has been known to grow to 120 ft. and to have lived over 200 years which is not long in the tree calendar of lifespans.
The tree itself has two periods of redness in its annual cycle. Small clusters of red blossoms appear in the spring, and in the fall, the tree exhibits many beautiful shades of red fall color, hence the name red maple. It also has reddish twigs.
It is also tolerant of a broad range of soil conditions including river flood plains, gravelly mountains and fertile intervals. It is relatively disease and pest free but can be a bit slow growing (compared to some other maples like Norway, Sugar, Silver, Sycamore Maple, all of which have a faster natural growth rate than the red maple).
Then what is red maple?
Red maple (Acer Rubrum) is known to be the most plentiful tree in North American forests and is indeed, one of the most beautiful! It is typically 50 - 60 ft. but has been known to grow to 120 ft. and to have lived over 200 years which is not long in the tree calendar of lifespans.
The tree itself has two periods of redness in its annual cycle. Small clusters of red blossoms appear in the spring, and in the fall, the tree exhibits many beautiful shades of red fall color, hence the name red maple. It also has reddish twigs.
It is also tolerant of a broad range of soil conditions including river flood plains, gravelly mountains and fertile intervals. It is relatively disease and pest free but can be a bit slow growing (compared to some other maples like Norway, Sugar, Silver, Sycamore Maple, all of which have a faster natural growth rate than the red maple).
Cultivation and Planting of Maple Trees
As any newly planted tree or shrub, it requires a thorough watering when planted and then just regular monitoring and adding some irrigation water when it needs it, usually no more than once or twice a week. It depend on the conditions and in the heat of July, it could need more. After establishment year, little extra watering is ever required.
When you purchase this tree it could come in a pot with artificial growing mix, bare-root or even in a large soil ball. This will impact the amount of watering required. The key is to observe how the tree is doing and add water as required. Don't let it completely dry out.
At planting we do not add much of any fertilizer, but after a year or so, about 1/4 lb. of commercial 6-12-12/year of age applied at the drip-line, or an organic alternative may help the tree grow a bit faster.
When you first get your new tree it is a good idea to prune off any unnecessary branches. Especially if it has narrow and weak crotch angles and double or triple leaders. Prune off weak angles and broken branches back to a healthy bud.
Plant it in the open when it can get lots of light and remember this tree may grow to 90 ft. with a breadth of 40 ft! Give it room to grow!
When you purchase this tree it could come in a pot with artificial growing mix, bare-root or even in a large soil ball. This will impact the amount of watering required. The key is to observe how the tree is doing and add water as required. Don't let it completely dry out.
At planting we do not add much of any fertilizer, but after a year or so, about 1/4 lb. of commercial 6-12-12/year of age applied at the drip-line, or an organic alternative may help the tree grow a bit faster.
When you first get your new tree it is a good idea to prune off any unnecessary branches. Especially if it has narrow and weak crotch angles and double or triple leaders. Prune off weak angles and broken branches back to a healthy bud.
Plant it in the open when it can get lots of light and remember this tree may grow to 90 ft. with a breadth of 40 ft! Give it room to grow!
I am sure that if you plant the trees back again, it will do nothing but good. - Michael Fish
Maple Tree Propagation - When is the right time?
It is certainly possible to grow the red maple from seed but it will take some patience. The best seed for you is that collected from trees locally, regardless of where you live, as native provenance is important. We sow our seed, which is collected at seed drop in June, in trays in a loose growing mix in the fall and store over winter in a cold-frame. It will germinate fast in the spring but usually only grows about 3" in the first year, patience is required! It is best to transplant most trees when dormant. Or it can be propagated from softwood cuttings in June or July before the new wood is hardened off.
NOTE: This article was first published as our Squidoo lens. We transferred our lenses here in our Weebly blog.