Acer rubrum
This beautiful shade tree with a large, rounded crown provides color from early spring to late fall. It prefers moist or even swampy soils and does not tolerate droughty conditions. It is used by a variety of moths and inchworms and is a particular favorite of the cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), North America’s largest native moth. In natural settings, red maple is a pioneer tree, meaning it is one of the first species to establish in a landscape’s progression to forest. Maples provide cover for many species of wildlife that nest in their cavities.
Zone: 3-9 (Map)
Habitat: Moist to wet soil. Prefers full sun but tolerant to some shade.
Growth: 40-90 ft tall, 30-50 ft wide at maturity.