In the north, red maples are usually found in wet bottomlands or moist woods.
Further south, it may grow in drier, rockier areas.
Red maple trees live between 80 to 100 years when properly cared for.
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
Red maple trees are named for their rich, highly-desirable bright red foliage that develops in the autumn.
Its reasonably easy care makes it a landscaping mainstay.
Red maples are often confused with a different species, the Japanese red maple tree.
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
More than 20cultivars of red maple treesdiffer in fall foliage colors, height, or leaf shape.
It’s also not as messy as Norway or silver maples.
Red maples are not toxic to humans, dogs, or cats but are toxic to horses and ponies.
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
Its red color is not only evident in fall but also in the spring and summer.
The red maple requires full or partial light, well-drained, moist soil, and occasional pruning.
You should select a naturally damp area to plant your tree, requiring frequent and attentive watering.
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
The tree transplants well at any age and tends to grow quickly.
Soil
Red maples need well-drained, sandy, loamyacidicsoil.
The tree doesn’t grow well in alkaline or salty conditions.
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Red maples grown in alkaline soil will yield pale leaves and suffer stunted growth.
Temperature and Humidity
The red maple cansurvivein dry and moist areas ranging from dry ridges to bogs.
It can grow in mountainous regions, swampy regions, and along streams.
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Fertilizer
Fertilization is usually unnecessary, but a general-purposefertilizerapplied in spring is sufficient when needed.
For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.
The best fertilizers for red maples are rich in nitrogen.
The Spruce / Adam Albright
Use a three-inch layer of mulch around the tree’s base to help the soil hold moisture.
How Fast Do Red Maple Trees Grow?
As far as trees go, red maples mature relatively fast.
They are one of the faster trees to provide substantial shade quickly.
These plants average about 12 to 18 inches of height per year.
On average, they reach between 40 and 60 feet and can reach that height within 25 years.
You should make cuts outside the branch collar to help the tree close cutting wounds.
Propagating Red Maples
it’s possible for you to propagate a red maple easily using cuttings.
It’s best to take cuttings in late spring or early summer.
Leaf loss is normal, and you should not fertilize the tree during this time.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Red maples are susceptible to several pests and diseases.
Common diseases include verticillium wilt, anthracnose, leaf spot, tar spot, and powdery mildew.
Verticillium wilt
This disease causes browning, wilting, and leaf loss.
It gradually spreads throughout the tree, and the resulting excess of fallen leaves can negatively affect its growth.
While sometimes challenging to avoid, verticillium wilt can be controlled by fertilizing and pruning damaged leaves and branches.
Weak structure
Red maples are prone to cracking bark and overcrowding branches.
This leads to susceptibility to damage in spring storms.
it’s possible for you to help protect your tree from damage with light pruning and cabling.
This causes leaf-dropping, which affects tree growth and can foster pests.
The sugar maple is similar to the red maple, with a few key differences.
The red maple is a soft tree, while the sugar maple is hard.
They grow yellow or orange leaves and bear brown buds.
A sugar maple’s bark is difficult to peel off.
Due to their height, the tree’s development must be intentionally stunted to fit them in your home.
Red maple is a popular species for bonsai.
Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants.ASPCA.
