Acer rubrum, or Red Maple, is a medium to large-sized deciduous tree native to a vast range across eastern and central North America, thriving in a wide variety of habitats from swamps and wet woods to drier uplands and urban settings. It is recognized by its typically 3-lobed (sometimes weakly 5-lobed) leaves with serrated margins, a silvery underside, and often brilliant red, orange, or yellow fall color, as well as clusters of small, showy red flowers appearing very early in spring before the leaves. Its key diagnostic feature is its small, paired samaras (winged seeds) with slightly divergent wings, which are typically reddish and mature in late spring to early summer. This highly adaptable and fast-growing species can reach heights of 15-30 meters (50-100 feet) and is known for its distinctive reddish twigs and buds.
