Red Maple Tree Seeds | Swamp Maple | (Acer rubrum)
Red Maple Tree Seeds | Swamp Maple | (Acer rubrum)
First to bloom. Last to be forgotten.
Acer rubrum, the Red Maple, announces spring before nearly any other tree. While the landscape is still gray, its branches flush with tiny crimson flowers weeks before leaves emerge, casting a red haze across the canopy. By fall, it transforms again into one of the most brilliant displays of orange, scarlet, and crimson in the eastern forest. Fast-growing, cold-hardy, and incredibly adaptable, this is one of the most widely planted and loved native trees in North America.
- Among the first trees to bloom in late winter
- Exceptional fall color in red, orange, and scarlet
- Thrives in both wet and dry conditions
- Fast-growing and widely adapted native species
- High wildlife value for birds and small mammals
Things You Probably Didn’t Know
It dominates eastern forests.
Red Maple is the most abundant tree species in eastern North America, thriving across an enormous range of climates and soil conditions.
Its seeds are engineered to fly.
The winged samaras spin as they fall, slowing descent and allowing seeds to travel away from the parent tree to colonize new ground.
It was tapped long before sugar maple became famous.
Indigenous communities harvested Red Maple sap for syrup for centuries. It produces a lighter, milder syrup than sugar maple.
It tolerates standing water.
Red Maple is one of the few hardwoods that can thrive in seasonally flooded soils, often growing along rivers, wetlands, and pond edges.
Growing Details
- Botanical Name: Acer rubrum
- Stratification: Not required; sow fresh after spring seed drop
- USDA Zones: 3–9
- Soil: Extremely adaptable; prefers slightly acidic conditions
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Height: 40–70 feet
- Spread: 30–50 feet
- Growth Rate: Fast (1.5–3 ft/year)
Plant one and mark it well. In twenty years it will be the tree your neighbors ask about.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you pre-stratify the seeds?
Most of our seeds are not pre-stratified. They are stored under dry, cold conditions to preserve viability without initiating stratification, allowing you to time germination for your local growing season.
The exception is recalcitrant seeds. Because these seeds must remain moist to stay viable, they are kept in moist, cold storage and are therefore in a pre-stratified state. Depending on how long a particular batch has been stored, some may arrive with an emerging radicle and be ready to plant immediately. Radicle development is not guaranteed.
Please refer to the individual product page and included growing instructions for species-specific requirements.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes. Some species we offer, including Chestnut, Hazelnut, and Paw Paw, are recalcitrant and must remain moist to stay viable.
Please refrigerate these seeds immediately upon arrival unless they have already developed a radicle. Seeds with an emerging radicle should be planted promptly.
Do you ship internationally?
No. We currently ship within the United States only.
We previously shipped to Canada, but tariffs, duties, and import fees resulted in customers receiving significant and unpredictable additional charges upon delivery. Because we cannot reliably calculate or absorb these costs, we have suspended shipping to Canada.
At this time, we do not ship to Canada or other international destinations.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
• Hand-packed in resealable kraft paper seed bags
• Stratification and planting instructions included on every seed pack
• Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS within the United States and U.S. territories
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
If your order arrives damaged, contains incorrect items, or is missing items, please contact us within 7 days of delivery so we can resolve the issue.
