Red Maple

Arbor Walk #102, TreeKeeper ID #5818

Frank Jr. is a cultivar of the Red Maple species, which is native to areas in Eastern North America. It’s a large deciduous tree known primarily for its bright red leaf color that can only be described as brilliant during the fall. 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. This tree grows best in wet locations, and is commonly grown as a street tree. The Red Maple grows in the Eastern and Central portion of the United States and can grow up to 50 feet tall. 

More information on the Red Maples in our Arboretum here!

Common NameRed Maple
Latin NameAcer rubrum
Indigenous Name(s) 
Cultivar/Variety ‘Frank Jr.’
Commercial NameREDPOINTE
Global Distribution
Where to find Arbor Walk #102 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
Distance to Other Species
YearClose Species #1Close Species # 2Close Species # 3
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)
20236.612.8N/A3.154.183.665
Nests and Pests
YearDescription
2023N/A
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 #102