Swamp Red Maple

Acer rubrum var. drummandii L.

The swamp red maple provides vivid color and interest to the late winter landscape with a spectacular display of bright red flowers followed by the emergence of bright red winged seeds that remain  on the tree until the leaf buds open. 

General Appearance

A swamp red maple tree will grow to  a mature height of  approximately 40x30 feet.  If planted in an open area with full sunlight, it will branch close to the ground, forming a dense oblong crown, which results in a very attractive shade tree for a residential setting.

Leaves

The leaves of the swamp red maple are palmate, divided with three or more veins arising from one point. The small stem (petiole) that attaches the leaves to the twig are red and is a distinguishing characteristic of the tree.  Before they fall in autumn, the leaves turn subtle shades of yellow and red.

Flower

The swamp red maple produces male and female flowers on separate trees.  The flowers are a brilliant red color, small and bloom before the emergence of the leaves each spring.

Wildlife

 It has been observed that the vegetative sprouts are eaten by deer and cattle.

Fruit

The fruit are red with divergent wings that measure one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half inches in length.  Some people have compared the winged seeds to a boomerang.

Habitat

In its natural habitat, the swamp red maple grows in the southeastern United States from Texas to Florida.  In Louisiana the tree is widely distributed in cypress-tupelo gum swamps within zones consisting of drier soil conditions.