Red maple (Acer rubrum)

Acer rubrum leaves are deciduous

Image - Flickr / TreeWorld Wholesale

El red maple it is one of the most common deciduous trees in gardens found in temperate regions. And reasons are not lacking: it resists frost, it is not very demanding with the soil and it becomes really beautiful in autumn before dropping its leaves.

Its maintenance is also very interesting for all kinds of gardeners, whether they are novices or not. So if we take everything into account, it is highly advisable to meet this species.

Origin and characteristics

The Acer rubrum is from North America

Our protagonist is a tree known as American red maple, Virginia maple, Canada maple, or red maple, and it is native to eastern North America. Its scientific name is Acer. It can reach a height of between 20 and 30 meters, sometimes 40m, with a straight trunk between 0,5 and 2 meters in diameter. The leaves are lobed, with 3-5 irregular lobes about 5-10cm long and wide, with a green upper surface and a green-whitish underside.

The flowers can be either male or female and appear in separate groups, usually on the same specimen. The female ones are red and are composed of 5 very small petals; the masculine ones are formed only by yellow stamens. It blooms in early spring. The fruit is a red to brown samara 15 to 25mm long that finish maturing in early summer.

It is usually hybridized with the Acer saccharinum, leading to acer x freemanii.

Cultivars

It is a very beautiful tree, so there are many cultivars that are marketed, including:

  • fireburst
  • Florida Flame
  • Gulf Ember
  • Red Sunset

What are the care of red maple?

Red maple turns gorgeous in fall

Image - Wikimedia / Willow

Would you like to have a specimen in your garden? Then we recommend you provide the following care:

Location

It is a plant that must be abroad, in full sun or in semi-shade. If you live in an area with a warm-temperate climate, that is, with hot summers and winters with weak and occasional frosts, put it better in semi-shade.

Earth

It depends a lot on where you are going to plant it:

  • Flower pot: use substrate for acidic plants (for sale here) or akadama (get it here) mixed with 30% kiryuzuna.
  • Garden: grows in a wide variety of soils. Now, in those that are very alkaline it has a tendency to suffer iron chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves due to lack of iron).

Irrigation

The frequency of irrigation will vary greatly depending on the climate and the season of the year. A) Yes, while in summer it will be necessary to water frequently, in winter, on the other hand, with one or two irrigations a week you can have enough. In any case, to avoid problems, it is very important to adjust the irrigation to the environmental conditions of the area, since it will not be watered as much in a place where it rains regularly than in another where drought is something that occurs every year. .

Of course, in any case, use rainwater or lime-free whenever you can. If you can't get it at all, fill a 5-liter watering can with tap water, and add a tablespoon or two of vinegar. Check its pH with a meter (like this same), and make sure it goes down to between 4 and 6.

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During the spring and summer months, it is highly recommended to fertilize it with organic and ecological fertilizers, such as guano, compost, green manure, egg and banana peels, and so on.

Just keep in mind that if you are going to grow it in a pot, it is more advisable to use natural fertilizers in liquid format (such as this) following the instructions specified on the package.

Multiplication

Acer rubrum seeds are winged

Red maple multiplies by seeds in winter, since it needs to be cold in order to germinate. The way to proceed is as follows:

Phase 1 - Stratification

  1. First a tupperware is filled with vermiculite previously moistened with water.
  2. Then the seeds are sown and copper or sulfur is sprinkled to prevent fungus.
  3. Afterwards, they are covered with more vermiculite and the tupperware is closed.
  4. Finally, it is placed in the refrigerator, in the section for sausages, dairy products, etc., where they will be kept for three months.

Once a week the tupperware will be opened to renew the air and, incidentally, to check the humidity of the vermiculite.

Phase 2 - Seedling

  1. Once spring arrives, a seedling tray is filled (like this one they sell here) or a pot with acidic plant substrate.
  2. The seeds are then placed on the surface of the substrate, and covered with a thin layer of it. This layer should not be very thick, just enough so that they are not carried away by the wind and that they remain buried.
  3. Afterwards, it is watered consciously.
  4. Finally, the seedbed is placed outside, in semi-shade.

However, keeping the earth always moist but not waterlogged, they should germinate throughout the spring.

Pruning

Don't need it. Maybe cut off dry, diseased or weak branches in late winter, but that's it.

Rusticity

It resists frosts of up to -18ºC.

What uses is given to Acer?

The flowers of the Acer rubrum are red

Image - Wikimedia / Mary Keim

Ornamental

It is a tree of great beauty, ideal for gardens, either as an isolated specimen, in groups or alignments, if the terrain is rather wide. In addition, it is even worked as bonsai.

It is also interesting as an urban species, as long as it has enough space for its roots. It tolerates the conditions typical of cities well, better even than the Acer saccharinum.

Culinary

Maple syrup is produced with its sap, although it is not as sweet as that of the Acer saccharinum.

What did you think of the red maple?


8 comments, leave yours

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  1.   mariella said

    It is beautiful, I wonder if we could plant this species in Patagonia

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Mariella.

      This maple withstands frosts down to -18ºC, and hot summers but not excessively (up to 30-35ºC, and as long as it has water). If these conditions exist in your area, yes it can be.

      Greetings.

  2.   Juan said

    Hello good, where can you get? I've looked it up on the internet and can't find it.
    I am in Patagonia

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi John.

      Have you looked at ebay or amazon? You still get them from here.

      Greetings.

  3.   Nely said

    I have grown several plants in the garden, I can transplant them to a larger place

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Nely.

      If you root them, you can, in late winter or early spring.

      Regards!

  4.   Alvaro Lawrence said

    Where can I get the seeds or the plant of the red maple in Gran Canaria?

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Alvaro.
      It seems to me that they have a nursery called Canarius. And if not, look at ebay.es because you will surely find it.
      Greetings.