RED MAPLE (acer rubrum)
The red maple is one of the first trees to change the color of its leaves each autumn; it derives its names from its singular scarlet foliage, which blazes across the New England landscape and heralds the changing of the seasons.
The red maple is dominant for both innate and human-influenced reasons. Changes in forest management tactics after European colonization allowed the red maple to grow and dominate in clear-cut sites, as well as previously elm and chestnut forests that were decimated by disease in the 20th century. But the red maple also has natural advantages. Unlike many other northern hardwood trees, it is not browsed by white-tailed deer. Furthermore, it is highly adaptable and is found in a variety of terrains and habitats across the country. The red maple will produce roots based on its surroundings– for instance, in wet locations, seedlings will produce short taproots with long, well-developed lateral roots, and in dry locations, they will produce long taproots with shorter laterals. The red maple is also one of the only trees to vigorously resprout after being damaged. It serves a vital role in forest regeneration, much like various species of birch.
Ecological Relationships: The red maple is frequently found growing near the black cherry tree, which is also visible on this path. It provides a home to many birds, including American redstarts, black-backed woodpeckers, downy woodpeckers, alder flycatchers, Canada warblers, eastern wood pewees, hooded warblers, northern parula, purple finch, veery, wood thrush, and yellow-bellied sapsuckers.
Ecological Threats: Target canker fungus.