Quick answer: Red maple is a native shade tree for USDA zones 3–9 that grows 40–60 feet tall and 35–45 feet wide. It takes full sun to part shade and prefers moist, slightly acidic soil, tolerating wet sites. Buy it for fast shade, red flowers in early spring and reliable red-orange fall color.
Why grow Red Maple
- Native to the United States
- Its very early flowers feed bees, its seeds and buds feed birds and squirrels, and it hosts imperial moth caterpillars
- Red, orange and yellow fall color
- Fast growing
Red Maple at a glance
| Botanical name | Acer rubrum |
|---|---|
| Plant type | Deciduous tree |
| USDA hardiness zones | 3–9 |
| Mature height | 40–60 ft |
| Mature spread | 35–45 ft |
| Sunlight | Full sun to part shade |
| Soil pH | 4.5–7 |
| Growth rate | Fast |
| Pollination | No second plant needed |
| Fall color | Red, orange and yellow |
| Ships as | Dormant bare-root plant, 2–3 ft |
| Can't ship to | AK, HI |
Pollination
Red maple flowers are polygamous; individual trees may be male, female or carry both. Wind and early bees move the pollen, and no partner is needed because the tree is grown for shade and color.
Planting and care
- Sun: Full sun to part shade; fall color is best in full sun.
- Soil: Prefers moist, slightly acidic soil and tolerates wet, poorly drained sites.
- Pruning: Prune in late summer, fall or winter to remove dead, damaged or crossing branches. Maples bleed sap if cut in late winter or spring; it looks alarming but does not hurt the tree.
- Pests and diseases: Usually trouble-free, though leafhoppers, aphids, maple bladder gall and verticillium wilt can appear. Chlorosis in alkaline soil and wind or ice breakage are the most common problems; shallow roots can lift nearby pavement.
Step-by-step bare-root planting instructions
What arrives and when
Your Red Maple ships dormant (no leaves) and bare root (no pot or soil) at 2–3 ft. It may look like a bare stick with roots; that is normal for a dormant plant. Spring shipping runs March 15 to July 30 for all zones, timed to your zone. Fall shipping, November 15 to late February, is for Zones 6–10 only. See the dates for your zone.
We can't ship this plant to: AK, HI.
Covered by our 1-year warranty (store credit; terms apply).
Frequently asked questions
How fast does a red maple grow?
Red maple is a fast-growing shade tree that matures at 40–60 feet tall and 35–45 feet wide. Growth is quickest in moist soil and full sun.
Will red maple grow in wet soil?
Yes. Red maple tolerates wet and poorly drained sites better than most shade trees.
Why are my red maple leaves turning yellow in summer?
Yellow leaves with green veins usually mean the soil is too alkaline, which causes manganese chlorosis. Red maple prefers acidic soil below about pH 7.
How far from the house should I plant a red maple?
Give it room for a 35–45 foot spread and keep it away from sidewalks and driveways, because its shallow roots can lift pavement.
Do I need two red maples for pollination?
No. Red maple is planted for shade and fall color, so one tree is all you need.
What does the red maple look like when it arrives?
It ships as a dormant, leafless bare-root tree about 2–3 feet tall. Soak the roots and plant it promptly.
Plant facts checked October 2026 against: NC State Extension, Morton Arboretum.