Acer rubrum Red maple (Aceraceae) Deciduous tree

Browse Plants Articles

Power Search!

Browse Botanic Names

Sponsored By KhorWills

Acer rubrum
Red maple
Deciduous tree
(1 Page of 5)

The Acer rubrum plant species is found in Eastern N. America - Quebec to Florida, west to Texas, Minnesota and Ontario. It is a member of the Aceraceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Red maple.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Acer rubrum
Common Name:  Red maple
Family:  Aceraceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  30   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Usually found in swamps and uplands, it also occasionally grows on dry rocky hillsides and sand dunes[43, 82].

General Uses: The leaves are packed around apples, rootcrops etc to help preserve them[18, 20]. The boiled inner bark yields a purple colour[4, 57, 82]. Mixed with lead sulphate this produces a black dye which can also be used as an ink[4]. The dye is dark blue according to another report[95]. The wood is used to make basket splints[257]. This species can successfully establish itself in recently cleared areas and partially open woodlands[229]. It can therefore be used as a pioneer species[K]. Wood - not strong, close grained, hard, very heavy[46, 82, 227]. It weighs 38lb per cubic foot[227]. The grain of some old specimens is undulated, this gives beautiful effects of light and shade on polished surfaces[4]. The wood is commonly used for making furniture, turnery, pulp, etc[46, 82, 227].

For further Acer rubrum gardening information
click on one of the blue links below

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
View their bibliography
Useful Edible Plants Future