October 19, 2026
Red Maple (Acer ruburm) is one of the most commonly seen trees in eastern North America. That certainly holds true here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its native range is eastern and central North America.
It is a fast-growing tree which has many reasons to be called Red Maple, including red twigs in winter. In early spring as its new leaves emerge, they are red. Also in spring it shows off its red with clusters of tiny red flower buds, and its samaras (or helicopters) start out red. Its leaf petioles are red during the summer. And here we are in autumn, with its leaves a brilliant crimson, but they may also turn yellow or orange.
Many reasons to be called Red Maple.
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