Red Maple is a very adaptable and widely distributed native deciduous tree. It will grow in most soil types with varying moisture levels, but it does best in slightly acidic, moist, and fertile soil. It has a fast growth rate, allowing it to reach 10-12' tall in only 5-7 years. With moderate tolerance of air pollution, it has become a popular choice for urban landscapes. Red Maples make gorgeous shade trees with broad, rounded canopies and some of the earliest, most brilliant fall color.
Flowering occurs in early spring, and cross-pollination is performed by the wind. The familiar “helicopter” seeds, actually called samaras, are formed in pairs in late spring to early summer. Once they ripen, they come twirling down, dispersed far and wide by the wind. Some songbirds and upland gamebirds will eat the seeds. Many insects also feed on maples, including at least 238 species of Lepidoptera. Insectivorous birds particularly rely on the multitude of caterpillars during nesting season to feed their young. These trees are valuable to wildlife, providing cover, nesting cavities, food, and sap.
Sources:
Native Trees, Shrubs, & Vines by William Cullina
Manual of Woody Landscape Plants by Michael A. Dirr
Missouri Botanical Garden
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Illinois Wildflowers
The Morton Arboretum-Black Walnut Tolerance
