Acer rubrum seeds - Red maple

Acer rubrum, better known as the Red Maple, is a beautiful tree that can be grown from seed. This iconic North American species is primarily found in the northeastern United States and Canada. It is prized for its foliage, which turns a vibrant red with the first frosts in autumn. This deciduous tree also displays red hues on its petals, petioles, and fruits, making it particularly ornamental.

With rapid growth, Acer rubrum can reach 15 metres in height in our climate, and up to 30 metres in its native habitat. Its dense conical habit gives it a majestic appearance, ideal for enhancing parks and gardens. It is hardy and it adapts well to urban environments and tolerates harsh winters. Its palmate leaves, serrated and divided into 3 to 5 pointed lobes, measure about 10 cm long. They turn from red in spring to bright green in summer before blazing into scarlet red in autumn. Early flowering in March precedes the emergence of foliage. Its red, nectar-rich flowers attract pollinators and are followed by winged samaras, much loved by squirrels. The samaras contain seeds that germinate very easily without cold stratification when fresh. With a lifespan of up to 200 years, Acer rubrum is a valuable forest tree, notably exploited for its wood used in cabinetry and joinery. Its bark, initially dark red, turns dark grey with age, cracking into broad decorative plates.

Red Maple thrives in deep, moist to wet soil, preferably acidic and clayey, which intensifies its autumn colours. It can tolerate poorer soils but avoid chalky ground. As a specimen tree in a garden or park, it provides dense and pleasant shade. It can also be incorporated into a mixed hedge, adding colour and volume to the landscape. In a park or large garden, it forms beautiful associations with Red Oak (Quercus rubra), American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and Purple Beech (Fagus sylvatica 'Atropunicea'), for example.