Did you know that red maples (Acer rubrum) are one of the most abundant and widespread trees in eastern North America?
After disturbances such as wildfires and hurricanes, red maples are one of the first species to begin sprouting. This allows red maple to be the dominant species in many forests. As a result, we can enjoy their vibrant colors across New England!
Habitat: The red maple ranges from southern Florida to Newfoundland, Canada. This species prefers moderately drained and moist conditions, but is able to thrive in a variety of soil types. In the southern United States, red maple is exclusively a swamp species. However, in New England, it can be found growing in moist, dry, or rocky soils!
Form and Function: Red maples can flower and bear seeds at an early age, with some trees producing seeds as early as four years old. Larger red maples, with diameters of 12 inches or more, can produce nearly one million seeds! The propeller shape of the seed allows the pods to catch wind currents and disperse to greater ranges.
Faunal Associations: Red maple is an important food source for many species, especially white-tailed deer. When food is scarce in the winter, white-tailed deer enjoy eating red maple stump sprouts. The species also provides great habitat for cavity nesting birds.
How do red maples get their vibrant color? About 70% of New England trees produce anthocyanins (an-thow-sai-a-nuhnz) in their leaves. These are vibrant pigments responsible for their red, purple, and blue hues. When green chlorophyll breaks down in the autumn, only the anthocyanins remain. The red maple, rich in red anthocyanins, owes its bright red color to these compounds.
When the leaves begin to turn, you can observe their stunning autumn color at Hawk Valley Farm and our West Meadow property!
SOURCES:
https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_2/acer/rubrum.htm
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/acer-rubrum/
https://plantfinder.nativeplanttrust.org/plant/Acer-rubrum
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19178979/
