Scientific name: Acer rubrum
Common name: Red Maple
Native: Yes
Native range: Native to eastern North America, from as north as Newfounland to the southern tip of Florida [1].
Distribution in North America: Click to view the USDA Plants Database page for A. rubrum.
USDA Zones: 3-9 [4]
Maximum age: Lives to 80-100 years on average, but may survive up to 200 years [1].
Ecology: The seeds are an important source of food for squirrels, chipmunks, and birds [1]. The foliage is an important winter resource for elk and white-tailed deer [1,2].
Ethnobotany: Red maple is a desirable source of lumber for furniture, veneers, musical instruments, and other small items [1]. The sap is sometimes used for syrup, although red maple contains significantly less sugar than sugar maple [1,2]. Indigenous American groups use the bark as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory, as well as a building material for furniture and tools [1,3].