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Red Maple, Acer
rubrum L. Small- to medium-sized tree. Height: Usually less than 12 m high. Trunk is short and divided into several main branches when growing in the open, with a dense crown. In forests the trunk may be free of branches for half its length. Twigs: Somewhat stout to slender, shiny, dark red, hairless, dotted with white lenticels. Buds: Opposite, dark red, with two or more pairs of white-margined scales. Two kinds – leaf buds are oval and somewhat sharp pointed; flower buds are roundish and clustered at the twig ends. Bark is ashy-gray and smooth on young trunks, dark gray and rougher on older trunks. Leaves: Opposite, 5-14 cm across, three to five lobes, dark green above, whitened beneath. Hairless on both surfaces, irregularly and sharply double-toothed, Edges of terminal lobe are nearly parallel to midrib. Leaves turn scarlet in autumn. Flowers: Appear before leaves. Borne in slender-stalked clusters near the ends of twigs, mostly on uppermost branches. Male and female flowers are in separate clusters, usually on different trees. Male flowers are yellowish, about 5 mm across with 5 stamens. Female flowers are red, 5-6 mm across. Blooms from early May to early June. Fruit: Similar to those of Mountain Maple. Wing is 1.5-2 cm long. Fruit stalks are long and arise from one point on a short stem. Ripen from mid-June to mid-July. Habitat: Throughout most of Newfoundland, most common in western and central parts of the island. Not fond on the Northern Peninsula or in Labrador. Prefers moist river valleys and wet bottom lands, but may occur in drier habitats. Source:
Native Trees and Shrubs of Newfoundland and Labrador
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