#TYPES OF RED MAPLE TREES FULL#

The state is known for its stunning natural beauty, and one of the most iconic elements of its landscape is the maple tree.

Although the hybrid is naturally occurring, human influence and widespread planting of both species has resulted in them hybridizing more.Michigan residents are likely familiar with the sight of Sugar Maple trees lining the roads and adorning backyards. However, in spite of the two species being able to grow in similar conditions, they uncommonly occur close together in the wild. Of these, it is closely related to the silver maple ( Acer saccharinum), with which it can hybridize, forming the so-called Freeman maple, Acer × freemanii. Numerous other maples, including both native and introduced, co-occur with this species. Used for pulpwood, as well as boxes and crates, and occasionally, musical instruments or turned objects.

However, one of the harder woods among the 'soft maple' grouping. Classified as 'soft maple' along with several other species, contrasting with 'hard' maple (i.e. Its wood is valued for its availability, lower price, and good workability. It is more suited to urban conditions than the sugar maple.

Its single-trunk growth habit, with numerous and smaller side-branches, is more suited to a street tree and shade tree than the silver maple, which often grows with multiple, large, heavy trunks, and is prone to dropping large limbs. Widely planted as a landscaping plant and street tree, where it is valued for its attractive bold red fall foliage, and adaptability to just about any conditions, including urban conditions with compacted soil and exposure to pollution. Lifepsan is limited by its soft wood, making it prone to mechanical damage and rot. Individual trees' lifespans may be as much as 150 years or rarely 200, but more commonly 80-100 years or less. Resprouting is usually limited to the root crown this plant does not reproduce vegetatively beyond such resprouts. Individual plants are able to vigorously resprout after being damaged or top-killed by fire or mechanical damage. Seeds do not persist in the seed bank seeds found in the soil tend to have low viability. Mature trees typically produce good seed crops every other year, but may occasionally produce bumper crops. Flowers early in spring, before vegetative bud development seed matures before leaves are mature. More typically, seed production starts around 8 years, or longer for trees that began their life cycle under a closed forest canopy only to be released later. Trees can flower and produce seed as young as 4 years of age, if conditions are favorable for rapid growth. Seedlings establish under a forest canopy and survive 3-5 years under moderate shade more shade-tolerant towards the northern edge of its range. Seedlings germinate under a wide range of lighting, moisture, and soil conditions. Most seeds germinate from seed within 10 days after falling a small portion of seeds overwinter and germinate the following year. Red maple has a short life cycle with high seed production, but considerable variability and adaptability in response to varied conditions. Humans have increased the habitat for red maple across its range by creating more disturbance, gaps, and edge habitat, and widely clearing old-growth forests, creating more early-to-mid-successional forests in which it thrives. However, it can persist as a climax species on sites where other more tolerant species cannot survive, such as poorly-drained sites. On many sites, functions as an early-to-mid-successional species, and sometimes as a pioneer species, but it is eventually replaced by more shade-tolerant species. In much of its range, a dominant canopy tree only on wetter sites, and a more minor component of a wide range of other forest types. However, it colonizes recently burned sites, and will often survive to reproductive maturity on these sites if fire does not return at frequent enough intervals.įound in floodplains and other bottomland forests, swamps, upland forests and ridges, forested areas along roads and railways, and in mixed coniferous-deciduous forests. More shade-tolerant towards the north of its range.Īlthough tolerant of dry conditions, it is fire intolerant, and fire supression has increased the prevalance and dominance of this species on drier sites.

#TYPES OF RED MAPLE TREES FULL#

Tolerates full sun and part shade, and almost any soil types, and has a slight preference for somewhat acidic soils. Often found, paradoxically, both on drier and wetter sites, as it tolerates both drought and flooding better than some species. A habitat generalist, red maple tolerates a broad range of conditions and is found in a range of habitats.

Types of red maple trees