Buying a red maple from a high-quality nursery will limit the need to prune throughout the tree’s life and will usually guarantee brighter foliage. The tree transplants well at any age and tends to grow quickly. Be mindful of the conditions of your winters and summers when choosing to plant a red maple and its location on your property.
Light
Red maples flourish in full sun, meaning at least six hours per day, or partial sun for four to six hours per day.
Soil
Red maples need well-drained, sandy, loamy acidic soil. The tree doesn’t grow well in alkaline or salty conditions. Red maples grown in alkaline soil will yield pale leaves and suffer stunted growth.
Water
Red maples prefer moist soil but will grow in dry soils provided adequate, regular irrigation (slow, deep watering is ideal). Once planted, make sure the soil remains moist but be careful not to overwet the ground, as it can stunt growth or damage the tree.
Temperature and Humidity
The red maple can survive in dry and moist areas ranging from dry ridges to bogs. It can grow in mountainous regions, swampy regions, and along streams. While the tree does best in cooler weather, it is found as far north as humid Newfoundland and as south as the dry-heated Carolinas.
Fertilizer
Fertilization is usually unnecessary, but when needed, a general-purpose fertilizer applied in spring is sufficient. The best fertilizers for red maples are rich in nitrogen. Use a three-inch layer of mulch around the tree’s base to help the soil hold moisture.
Types of Red Maple
Autumn Blaze Burgundy Bell Scarlet Sentinel Schlesingeri
Pruning
Pruning typically isn’t necessary, but you can remove crowded branches to avoid narrow angles between the trunk and to create the appearance of more substantial, wider angles. The red maple is very sensitive to pruning, so generally, you should avoid cutting branches larger than a few inches in diameter. You should make cuts outside the branch collar to help the tree close cutting wounds. It’s best to prune at the end of summer or fall, as the tree tends to bleed sap when pruned early in the growing season.
Propagating Red Maples
You can propagate a red maple easily using cuttings. It’s best to take cuttings in late spring or early summer. Here’s how to propagate:
How to Grow Red Maples From Seeds
Overwintering
Red maple trees usually do well throughout the winter. Leaf loss is normal, and you should not fertilize the tree during this time. You can prepare your tree for the winter by providing it with plentiful water and using mulch to retain moisture and stimulate the roots. You can also cover the tree with a tarp or burlap for extra protection during heavy snow. If your tree is small or young enough to be potted, you can place it in an unheated garage. Red maples can handle cold temperatures down to 15 °F, so consider the typical winter weather in your area before choosing to plant a red maple.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Red maples are susceptible to several pests and diseases. Common diseases include verticillium wilt, anthracnose, leaf spot, tar spot, and powdery mildew. The tree can suffer infestations from insects such as gall mites, leafhoppers, aphids, cankerworms, and mapleworms. One of the most effective ways to prevent disease and pests is to rake fallen leaves often and to monitor your tree closely for signs of infestation.
Common Problems With Red Maples
The main issues with red maple trees are weak structure and vulnerability to verticillium wilt and pests.
Verticillium wilt
This disease causes browning, wilting, and leaf loss. It gradually spreads throughout the tree, and the resulting excess of fallen leaves can negatively affect its growth. While sometimes challenging to avoid, verticillium wilt can be controlled by fertilizing and pruning damaged leaves and branches.
Weak structure
Red maples are prone to cracking bark and overcrowding branches. This leads to susceptibility to damage in spring storms. You can help protect your tree from damage with light pruning and cabling.
Black Spots on Leaves
In the spring, your red maple may develop black leaves due to foliar disease. This causes leaf-dropping, which affects tree growth and can foster pests.
