Red Maple

Description:

These seeds (also known as keys) are from a red maple tree. The trees attain a height of around 50 feet. It is aptly named as its flowers, petioles, twigs and seeds are all red to varying degrees. The tree is best known for its brilliant deep scarlet foliage in autumn.

Habitat:

The red maple is adaptable to a very wide range of site conditions, perhaps more so than any other tree in eastern North America. It can be found growing in swamps, on poor dry soils, and most anywhere in between. This one was photographed at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park near Augusta (Richmond County), GA.

Notes:

It is also known as Swamp, Water or Soft Maple. The U.S. Forest Service recognizes it as the most common variety of tree in America. It is used commercially on a small scale for maple syrup production as well as for its medium to high quality lumber.