SPECIES: Acer rubrum (a'sir) (roo'brum). Native to Virginia and eastern U.S. ``Acer'' is an ancient Latin name for maple; ``rubrum'' means red.

VARIETIES: Autumn Flame, rounded crown to 60 feet with smaller leaves showing early scarlet fall color. October Glory, nice rounded tree with glossy leaves that color orange, scarlet or crimson in fall. Red Sunset, pyramidal to rounded outline with orange to red fall color. When we have good fall color, these trees have rich shades that last six weeks.

SIZE: 40-80 feet tall, 40-60 feet spread. Fast grower, long lived.

EXPOSURE: Sun to shade

LEAVES: Deciduous, meaning it loses its leaves over winter. Simple, opposite leaf with 3-5 lobes and irregularly toothed to almost smooth margin. Leaves are medium green above with silver-white hairs below. Petioles, or the stalks of leaves, and new growth are red.

FLOWERS: Showy clusters of red or sometimes yellow flowers. Blooms in late February to early April before tree leafs out.

FRUIT: Samara, a one-seeded winged fruit, droops on a 2-3-inch stem. Reddish color matures to brown. Showy on some trees.

BARK: Light gray

FALL COLOR: One of first to change fall color; greenish yellow to yellow, orange or red.

CULTURE: Tolerates most soils but prefers moist, slightly acidic soil. Scorches in summer if used in heavily paved areas, especially in this area. Roots may seek water or sewer lines or may surface and cause mowing problems. Mulch under tree to prevent mower problems.

USES: Nice large shade tree for lawns, parks and streets. Don't plant close to a building

PRUNING: For shape.

PROBLEMS: Maple insects and diseases.