Fauna
Plant

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Also known as Swamp Maple, Water Maple, Soft Maple

Red maples are extraordinarily adaptable trees that thrive in environments ranging from swampy floodplains to dry ridges across eastern North America. In early spring, clusters of tiny crimson flowers bloom long before the leaves unfurl, providing a vital early season food source for emerging native pollinators. By autumn, their foliage transforms into brilliant shades of scarlet and deep red, making them an iconic sight in eastern deciduous forests.

DeciduousAutumn ColorNative Tree
Red Maple reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
  • Asian Longhorned Beetle
  • White-tailed Deer
  • Beaver
ThreatsAsian longhorned beetle, forest fragmentation, invasive pathogens
HabitatsSwamps, river bottomlands, moist woods, dry uplands
Life span80–150 years
Classification
  1. OrderSapindales
  2. FamilySapindaceae
  3. GenusAcer
  4. SpeciesAcer rubrum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Wilted leaves are highly toxic to horses if ingested; safe for humans to observe at a normal distance.
Why it is dangerous
Wilted leaves contain gallotannins that cause severe, often fatal hemolytic anemia in horses when ingested.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for three- to five-lobed leaves with serrated margins, red leaf stalks, and smooth light grey young bark.
What to do
Prevent livestock from accessing storm-damaged branches, pruned brush, or fallen autumn foliage.
Responsible observation
  • Leaf Identification: Look for 3 to 5 V-shaped lobes with sharply serrated margins and bright red petioles.
  • Spring Bloom: Spot dense clusters of tiny red flowers on bare grey branches during late winter.
  • Livestock Safety: Clear fallen branches promptly from pastures to prevent horses from consuming wilted leaves.
Related species
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