Acer rubrum

• BOTANICAL NAME: Acer rubrum
• PRONUNCIATION: A-ser RU-brum
• COMMON NAME: Red or Swamp Maple
• FAMILY: Aceraceae
• NATIVITY: Southeastern Canada and southern US; common in Southeastern PA.
• GROWTH HABIT: Pyramidal in youth, developing ascending branches and an irregularly rounded crown with age; 40'-60' (100') tall. Medium to fast growth rate.
• HARDINESS: USDA Zones 3 - 9.
• OPTIMUM GROWING CONDITIONS: Full sun to light shade in moist, acid soil. Tolerates poor drainage and many types of soil. Very adaptable plant.
• SUCCESSIONAL STATUS: Successional
• FACULTATIVE STATUS: Facultative wetland
• LANDSCAPE VALUE: Excellent specimen tree. Select cultivars for best fall color.
  Easily transplanted and adaptable to variations in soil moisture.
• FOLIAGE: Opposite, simple 2"-4" long; 3-5 lobes, lobes are irregularly toothed.
  New growth and petiole reddish. Leaves are often a lighter color on lower surface than top. Fall color variable.
• BUDS: Small, red, clustered; 1/16" - 1/8" long. Flower buds and subsequent flowers are quite attractive.
• BARK: Silver-gray, smooth in youth. No fetid odor when crushed. (see A. saccharinum).
• FRUIT: Red to green in color, 2" long or less with wings spreading at about 60 degrees.
  Fruit maturing in the spring.
• PROPAGATION: Seed, cuttings; some graft incompatibility.
• PESTS: Leaf Hopper
• CULTIVARS:
  • `Armstrong' - Fastigiate form. Fall color may be poor.
  • `Autumn Flame' - Good early red fall color.
  • `Columnare' - Narrow columnar or Pyramidal form. Good fall color.
  • `October Glory' - Bright-orange to red fall color in late fall.
  • `Red Sunset' - Orange to red fall color before `October Glory.'
• Location