Medicinal Monday... the Mighty Red Maple Tree

Maple trees belong to the family Aceraceae that has more than 200 species of trees. All trees produce sap,  a colorless sap that rises from their roots and circulates throughout the tree nourishing all of its parts. Most of us recognize maple trees by the sweet sap of the Acer saccharum, or sugar maple and the brilliant red leaves of the red maple or Acer rubrum.

About the Acer Rubrum

This is the most widespread deciduous tree of eastern and central North America and one of the most abundant native trees found in eastern North America, including Connecticut. The reason why it is so abundant here is that it can tolerate a wide range of habitats and uses many different types of resources. The red maple tree grows well in sun and shade, in dry areas, and in wet areas because they have a root system that helps them adapt to different soil conditions. If a red maple is in a wet area the tree develops a short tap root system and if it is in a wet area the tree develops a long lateral root system that can easily soak up the water. 

Red Maples are one of the first trees to flower in the spring. It has small red flowers that appear in March or April. The fruit that develops from the flower is called samaras. The seeds have a wing-like casing that protects the seed. At maturity, this tree often attains a height of more than one-hundred feet. Also known as a "swamp maple" the Acer rubrum is often found growing in or near swamps. The leaves of the red maple are the best way to distinguish it from its relatives. The leaves have three lobes and are green in the summer with a silvery underside. They turn scarlet in the fall. A red tinge can be found in its flowers, twigs, and seeds, but it is most notable for the scarlet of its leaves in the fall. The maximum lifespan of this tree is 150 years, but most live less than 100 years.

Medicinal Uses 

The Native Americans of the United States and Canada including the Algonquin, Iroquois, Cherokee, Ojibwa, and Potawatomi make a decoction of the bark into a thick syrup and use it to soothe sore eyes and to treat cataracts. An infusion of the bark is taken internally to reduce cramps and to treat hives. The Iroquois also use an infusion of bark as a hunting medicine -- they wash their traps with an infusion of several plants and the bark of the red maple tree. The Seminole make a decoction of the bark and take it to treat sores, back, and limb pain.  Some Native American communities make brown and black dyes from the bark and use it to decorate baskets.

Did You Know...

Many people refer to the wing-like seeds of the Red Maple tree as helicopters or whirlybirds because of the way they spin when the wind blows them off the trees.

Seeds are eaten by many mammals especially squirrels and chipmunks.

Another name for the Red Maple tree is a swamp maple because they often grow in or near swamps. 

Red maple wood is soft and is sometimes used for making furniture and flooring. It is also used to make clothespins, musical instruments, and boxes.

The red maple is one species whose sap is used to make maple syrup.

The leaf of the red maple tree is on the flag of Canada and, is the state tree of Rhode Island.