56. Acer rubrum – Red Maple
Scientific Name: Acer rubrum
Nativity: Eastern & Central North America
Interesting Info:
The U.S. Forest Service claims it is the most common native tree in North America. This is, perhaps, because of its extreme versatility. It can withstand everything from swamp to dry soils and exists at a 3,000 ft elevation differential. Additionally, it is very commonly planted as an ornamental because of its shade and fall color. The seeds provide food for some birds and many squirrels. However, it is not a preferred deer browse source. Because of this, it is an excellent choice for planting in areas where there is high deer pressure. Historically, this maple made up 5% of forest area. It is believed that anthropogenic causes, such as fire suppression, have allowed it to spread so rapidly.
DBH: 27.7 inches