Red Maple

Arbor Walk #9, TreeKeeper ID #1875

This is a large, native, shade tree and its reddish fall color is one of its most dramatic features. The flowers, seeds, and twigs on the Red Maple also have red color spread throughout. Although known for its iconic leaves, the samaras of the Red Maple provide food for many animals as well. Its leaves are particularly resistant to leaf chlorosis. The Red Maple grows in the Eastern and Central portion of the United States and is the state tree of Rhode Island.

More information on the Red Maples in our Arboretum here!

Common NameRed Maple
Latin NameAcer rubrum
Indigenous Name(s) 
Cultivar/Variety 
Commercial Name 
Global Distribution
Where to find Arbor Walk #9 on WashU campus
Our Red Maple in space
GPS Coordinates

N/A

Percent Concrete

N/A

Distance to Buildings
YearClose Building #1Close Building #2Close Building #3
2020Olin Library, 32.62 mWomen’s Building, 48.54 mGraham Chapel, 55.48 m
Distance to Other Species
YearClose Species #1Close Species # 2Close Species # 3
2020Tulip Tree, 9.42 mTulip Tree, 12.28 mTulip Tree, 14.92 m
Our Red Maple through time
Standard Measurements
YearHeight (m)DBH (cm)Caliper (m)Crown Diameter N-S (m)Crown Diameter E-W (m)Average Crown Diameter (m)
202013.458638.6N/A12.5413.3512.945
20231747N/A13.715.914.8
202417.7843.415.0215.0214.2314.625
Nests and Pests
YearDescription
20201 bundle of dead pedicels wrapped in silk
1 old wound appeared reddish and swollen
Green and grey lichen
Dark algae/mildew in the ridges in trunk bark
Old wound with a deep, dark hole in the center (entry point for fungus/insects)
How to identify a Red Maple
Leaf Identification

The Red Maple has simple, 3- to 5-lobed leaves arranged opposite from each other on the stem. The sinuses between lobes are comparatively shallow among maples, but this can vary. The leaves are shallowly serrated. The leaf base may range from rounded to indented.

Twig and Bud Identification

The twig is dark brown and smooth, with pale lenticels (pores). The twig lightens in color as it ages, developing ringed notches. The terminal buds are paired and have multiple scales.

Bark Identification

The bark is variable colors of gray, generally smooth but developing small scales with age.

Fruit Identification

The Red Maple fruit is a double samara (papery winged seed coat), which mature from red-pink to red-brown. They fall from the tree in late spring to early summer.

Flower Identification

The flowers of the Red Maple are small, bright red, and located in small clusters close to the branch. The petals may not always be particularly prominent. The Red Maple can be monoecious, dioecious, or even bisexual, so not all flowering systems may be the same between individual trees.

‘Frank Jr.’ Identification

The ‘Frank Jr.’ cultivar has a pyramidal shape and grows slightly smaller than wild Red Maples, reaching only 50′ at the highest.

Relationship of Acer rubrum to other species in the arboretum
Additional resources on the Red Maple

Take a look around Arbor Walk Tree #9