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Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Last reviewed: June 2026

Red Maple is a deciduous tree native to eastern North America, blooming March through May with small red flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and beetles.

Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Photo: no rights reserved, uploaded by mefisher

Red Maple (Acer rubrum) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Red Maple is listed as toxic to grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) at a slight level by the USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab). This is a livestock indicator and is separate from pet toxicity.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

360"–1200" H × 240"–600" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 32 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central Oklahoma/Texas PlainsEast Central Texas PlainsWestern Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central Plains

Red maple is a fast-growing native tree that provides excellent fall color with brilliant red, orange, and yellow leaves. It adapts well to various soil conditions and produces small red flowers in early spring before the leaves emerge.

Growing Red Maple

Grow Red Maple in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 360 to 1200 inches tall and spread 240 to 600 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Red Maple is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, street edge, mid zone.

  • Large mature size requires adequate space
  • Shallow roots can interfere with nearby plantings

Wildlife value

Host plant for rosy maple moth, cecropia moth, luna moth.

The early spring flowers provide nectar for bees, butterflies, and beetles when few other food sources are available. Seeds feed birds and small mammals, while the tree supports numerous native caterpillars.

Common questions

When does Red Maple bloom?
Red Maple blooms from March through May, producing small red flowers before the leaves emerge.
What pollinators visit Red Maple?
Red Maple attracts bees, butterflies, and beetles to its early spring flowers.
Where is Red Maple native?
Red Maple is native to most of the eastern United States, from Maine to Florida and west to Minnesota, Texas, and New Mexico.
What growing conditions does Red Maple prefer?
Red Maple tolerates a wide range of light conditions from full sun to part shade and adapts to various moisture levels from wet to moderately dry soils.
Is Red Maple toxic to dogs?
Red Maple is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Red Maple toxic to cats?
Red Maple is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
Is Red Maple toxic to livestock?
Red Maple is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (slight severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.
Is Red Maple HOA-friendly?
Red Maple is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Red Maple? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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