Acer rubrum

Biological Overview

Habitat
Lives in moist forests, swamps, and wetlands. It’s adaptable and thrives in both acidic swamps, dry rocky ridges and often appearing in early successional forests.

Diet
Red Maple tree diets consist of slow-release balanced fertilizers.

Role in Ecosystem
A Maple Tree provides vital nectar for pollinators. Has over 280 butterflies and moths and it offers food as in seeds and buds, it is also is an habitat for songbirds and other small mammals.

Behavior
This tree is highly adaptable, fast growing and opportunistic plant. It can thrive in both wet and dry conditions adapting its root system accordingly.

Human Impact

Human impact on maple trees includes habitat loss from development, soil compaction, pollution, and climate change, which reduces sugar content. Aggressive tapping for syrup and invasive pests threaten tree health, causing decline and reduced growth rates. Red maples are very sensitive to mechanical damage, which causes decay and fungi. When humans cut down forests, most of the population decreases. This can result in most of the Maple Tree population to be less spread out across the world. Overall, Maple Trees greatly suffer from the human population.

Creative Exploration

I am a Red Maple. I live in moist areas, which is where I grow the best. I have bright red leaves that can attract different organisms, like butterflies and caterpillars that eat my leaves! I grow really tasty fruit which are best eaten when they’re a greenish to yellow color. Sadly, when my leaves fall off and become wilted, it becomes toxic to a few animals like horses.

Morgan Hart, Hiba Chouri, Rebekah Perkins

Book 8