Red Maple lives up to its name in every season. In early spring, before the leaves appear, the blunt, red buds open, and clusters of red and orange flowers hang from the reddish twigs. As the leave unfold, they too are reddish, gradually turning to green, paler undernearth, with triangular lobes and small teeth. But the veins and the leafstalk keep their reddish tint all summer.

The ripening fruit is red also. Red Maple is a widespread tree of swamps, river banks, and moist hill slopes. The soft, close-grained, light-brown wood is used for boxes, novelties and woodenware.