Florida Maple – Red (Acer rubrum)

The Florida Red Maple, which is also known as scarlet maple and swamp maple, is beautiful in the fall with its dramatic red leaves and makes an excellent background or shade tree. The tannin from this tree was used by the early settlers to make dyes and inks. This tree can reach a height of 60-90 feet and has gray, smooth bark and serrated edged leaves. It prefers damp locations, has a low tolerance of droughts, and does well in full sun to partial shade.