Editing Acer rubrum (section)

== Cultivation ==
[[File:Acerbark8344.jpg|right|thumb|Mature bark, at [[Hemingway, South Carolina]]]]

Red maple's rapid growth, ease of transplanting, attractive form, and value for wildlife (in the eastern US) has made it one of the most extensively planted trees. In parts of the [[Pacific Northwest]], it is one of the most common introduced trees. Its popularity in cultivation stems from its vigorous habit, its attractive and early red flowers, and most importantly, its flaming red fall foliage. The tree was introduced into the [[United Kingdom]] in 1656 and shortly thereafter entered cultivation. There it is frequently found in many parks and yards.<ref name="Mitchell">{{cite book | last =Mitchell | first =A. F. | author-link =Alan Mitchell (botanist) |  title =Trees of Britain & Northern Europe | publisher =Harper Collins Publishers | year =1974 | location =London | page = 347 | isbn =0-00-219213-6  }}</ref>

Red maple is a good choice of a tree for urban areas when there is ample room for its root system. Forming an association with [[arbuscular mycorrhizal]] fungi can help ''A. rubrum'' grow along city streets.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Appleton|first1=Bonnie|last2=Koci|first2=Joel|year=2003|title=Mycorrhizal Fungal Inoculation of Established Street Trees|journal=Journal of Arboriculture|volume=29 |issue=2|pages=107–110}}</ref> It is more tolerant of pollution and road salt than sugar maples, although the tree's fall foliage is not as vibrant in this environment. Like several other maples, its low root system can be invasive and it makes a poor choice for plantings near paving. It attracts squirrels, who eat its buds in the early spring, although squirrels prefer the larger buds of the [[silver maple]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Reichard|first=Timothy A.|title=Spring Food Habits and Feeding Behavior of Fox Squirrels and Red Squirrels|journal=American Midland Naturalist|date=October 1976| volume=96| issue=2| pages=443–450| doi=10.2307/2424082|jstor=2424082}}</ref>

Red maples make vibrant and colorful [[bonsai]], and have year around attractive features for display.<ref name="ma-ke">{{cite web | last = D'Cruz | first = Mark | title = Acer Rubrum Bonsai Care Guide | publisher = Ma-Ke Bonsai | url = http://makebonsai.com/guide/bonsailink.asp?quicklink=5003&name=Acer_rubrum | access-date = 2010-10-20 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100617130231/http://www.makebonsai.com/guide/bonsailink.asp?quicklink=5003&name=Acer_rubrum | archive-date = 2010-06-17 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

[[File:2014-10-30 13 47 46 Red Maple during autumn along Terrace Boulevard in Ewing, New Jersey.JPG|thumb|Specimen showing variation of autumn leaf coloration]]

=== Cultivars ===
Numerous [[cultivars]] have been selected, often for intensity of fall color, with 'October Glory' and 'Red Sunset' among the most popular. Toward its southern limit, 'Fireburst', 'Florida Flame', and 'Gulf Ember' are preferred. Many cultivars of the Freeman maple are also grown widely. Below is a partial list of cultivars:<ref name="NCSU">{{cite news | last =Evans | first =E. |   title = Select Acer rubrum Cultivars |  publisher = North Carolina State University }}</ref><ref name="FU">{{cite news | last1 =Gilman | first1 =E. F. |last2=Watson|first2=Dennis G. | title = Acer rubrum 'Gerling' |  publisher =University of Florida }}</ref>
*''''Armstrong'''' – Columnar to fastigate in shape with silvery bark and modest orange to red fall foliage.
*''''Autumn Blaze'''' – Rounded oval form with leaves that resemble the [[silver maple]]. The fall color is orange red and persists longer than usual.
*''''Autumn Flame'''' – A fast grower with exceptional bright red fall color developing early. The leaves are also smaller than the species.
*''''Autumn Radiance'''' – Dense oval crown with an orange-red fall color.
*''''Autumn Spire'''' – Broad columnar crown; red fall color; very hardy.
*''''Bowhall'''' – Conical to upright in form with a yellow-red fall color.
*''''Burgundy Bell'''' – Compact rounded uniform shape with long lasting, burgundy fall leaves.
*''''Columnare'''' – An old cultivar growing to {{convert|20|m|ft|abbr=off}} with a narrow columnar to pyramidal form with dark green leaves turning orange and deep red in fall.
*''''Gerling'''' – A compact, slow growing selection, this individual only reaches {{convert|10|m|ft|abbr=off}} and has orange-red fall foliage.
*''''Northwood'''' – Branches are at a 45 degree angle to the trunk, forming a rounded oval crown. Though the foliage is deep green in summer, its orange-red fall color is not as impressive as other cultivars.
*''''October Brilliance'''' – This selection is slow to leaf in spring, but has a tight crown and deep red fall color.
*''''October Glory'''' – Has a rounded oval crown with late developing intense red fall foliage. Along with 'Red Sunset', it is the most popular selection due to the dependable fall color and vigorous growth. This cultivar has gained the [[Royal Horticultural Society]]'s [[Award of Garden Merit]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/97324/Acer-rubrum-October-Glory/Details |title=RHS Plant Selector Acer rubrum 'October Glory' AGM / RHS Gardening |publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk |access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref>
*''''Redpointe'''' – Superior in alkaline soil, strong central leader, red fall color.
*''''Red Sunset'''' – is also a recipient of the Award of Garden Merit.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/64775/Acer-rubrum-Red-Sunset-Franksred/Details | title = ''Acer rubrum'' Red Sunset ('Franksred') | publisher = RHS | access-date = 27 February 2020}}</ref> The other very popular choice, this selection does well in heat due to its drought tolerance and has an upright [[Habit (biology)#Structure|habit]]. It has very attractive orange-red fall color and is also a rapid and vigorous grower.
*''''Scarlet Sentinel'''' – A columnar to oval selection with 5-lobed leaves resembling the silver maple. The fall color is yellow-orange to orange-red and the tree is a fast grower.
*''''Schlesingeri'''' – A tree with a broad crown and early, long lasting fall color that is a deep red to reddish purple. Growth is also quite rapid. The original tree grew at the home of Barthold Schlesinger in Brookline, Massachusetts.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Dosmann|first=Michael S.|year=2009|title=Autumn's Harbinger: Acer rubrum 'Schlesingeri'|url=https://arboretum.harvard.edu/stories/autumns-harbinger-acer-rubrum-schlesingeri/|journal=Arnoldia|volume=67|issue=2|pages=32–33|doi=10.5962/p.251053 |access-date=6 June 2023|via=Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University}}</ref>
*''''Shade King'''' – This fast growing cultivar has an upright-oval form with deep green summer leaves that turn red to orange in fall.
*''''V.J. Drake'''' – This selection is notable because the edges of the leaves first turn a deep red before the color progresses into the center.