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RED MAPLE

NOMENCLATURE

Other Names:

Scientific Name: Acer rubrum L.

 Plant Family: Aceraceae

GENERAL INFORMATION

Botanical Description: woody, deciduous tree or shrub

 Stems: May reach 70 - 80 feet high when mature.

Leaves: opposite with long petioles and serrated edges, simple with 3 - 5 toothed lobes, 2 - 6 inches long

 Roots: deep, spreading, may reach 6 inches thick, woody

 Flowers: tiny, green, dangling on 1 - 2 inch stems in clusters, bloom April - June

 Seeds: Seeds are flat, winged, joined in pairs which easily separate. Each side (seed) is 1 to 2.5 inches long.

 Seedling: Distinguished by its classic large leaves.

 

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

LIFE CYCLE

Reproduction: perennial

 Propagation: seed

 Dispersal: wind, water

DISTRIBUTION

State: Common throughout Wisconsin.

 National: Found in most of the continental United States.

 Origin:

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Prefers swampy or poorly drained soils. Often found growing in woodland areas adjacent to wetlands or cranberry marshes. Airborne seed can sprout in new plantings and established cranberry beds.

SCOUTING PROCEDURE/ET

While scouting a cranberry bed for disease and insect pests, identify weed populations as they arise. Note the specie(s) of weed present as well as the population level relative to field area. Example: 5% red maple, 20% boneset and joe-pye weed mix.

REFERENCES

Gleason, H. A. 1952. Illustrated Flora of the United States and Adjacent Canada. Vol 2. Lancaster Press, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. p. 508.

Kummer, L. D., T. G. Dittl, and T. D. Planer. 1993. Wisconsin Cranberry Weeds. Wisconsin Cranberry Board, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. p. 23.

 

McGregor, R. L. 1986. Flora of the Great Plains. University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. p. 569.

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