Red Maple in South Beach

13 years ago

This past weekend, while kicking around in South Miami Beach, I was surprised to see two healthy red maples (Acer rubrum). These two maples were growing in a courtyard, were each about 15 feet tall, and most surprisingly, they were perfectly healthy (no dead twigs/branches, healthy looking bark/trunk, and healthy leaves with no signs of pests or fungal infection). Has anybody else seen this species so far south on the southern tip of the Florida peninsula?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

musicalperson
13 years ago
YEAH RIGHT!
I'll believe it when you post a photo.

The farthest south I've seen an acer rubrum was around hollywood at an offramp to i-95, some drainage ditch type area- I believe it was planted but it was young and weedy looking.

Now the farthest south I've seen a fairly mature red maple was in west palm beach.

The farthest south I've seen an a. rubrum growing wild would be to the west of hobe sound / jupiter. Around indiantown perhaps. Some big, wide spreading ones. Real nice in the soupy marshes with lots of sunlight.

And I've heard of others in palm beach county. But south beach?! Photos please.
williamr
Original Author
13 years ago
Musicalperson,

I was as astonished as you are when I just glanced over and saw them just growing there, and looking good. We were wandering around trying to find Publix at the time so I didn't have my camera, but I know they are either on Lincoln Rd. or 17th St., on the north side of the road a few blocks before Alton Rd. (going west). When I am down there again in a few weeks I will get some photos, and will try to capture some surroundings that prove it is indeed South Beach ;) Also, from what I've read, a number of hardwood hammocks in the Everglades contain populations of Acer rubrum, and I know that I have seem at least one growing at Fairchild's in Coral Gables.
Related Discussions
Why do people confuse Crimson King Maple with Red Maple?
Q
Comments (26)
If it was up to me, Norway maples (along with all other non-native seeding trees) would be banned. I'll never understand the fascination with these brown leaved monstrosities, they're like the Lada of the tree world. Red maples (Acer rubrum) are superior in every way (growth habit, spring colour, summer colour, fall colour, less dense, they're native etc.) I shouldn't be so hard on the layman when most nursery workers have no clue what they're talking about. Unless you fully understand growth habit, growth rate, cultural requirements, and ultimate height and spread, chances are you'll choose the wrong tree. Do your homework.
...See More
Red Maple options?
Q
Comments (1)
October Glory is arguably the best form, fastest growing red maple. It is also more densely foliated with more reliable and long lasting fall color. Forget about autumn blaze silver maple hybrids.
...See More
Japanese Maples in the Lower South
Q
Comments (8)
I live in Meridian, MS., which is probably not much farther north than you are. The Bloodgoods (purpley red all spring and summer, red in the fall) do extremely well here, and so do the species Japanese Maples. A Bloodgood that is about 15 feet tall is likely 20 years old or more. I believe that it's the fancy hybrids and grafted trees that are pretty well disastrous this far south, though I understand that Seiyru does well too. What's important is getting the conditions right: afternoon shade, if possible, and consistent moisture, though not soppy wet. The species is far more tolerant of our heat. Mine gets sun nearly all day long. They will grow much faster and be much, much less expensive. Mine has red new foliage and stems in the spring, green in the summer, and brilliant, fiery red in the fall. It has just as nice a form as any of the fancy ones. I bought it two years ago for about $80 and it was about five feet tall when I bought it. It's coming along very nicely. If you have a friend who has a healthy, happy maple, ask for seedlings. They seed like mad around their base where they are happy and the seedlings will be the species. Look for one with pretty leaf form and color. Or...ask for seeds. I have a friend who grows JMs from seed and sells them at our Master Gardeners sale. Seiyru has very lacy leaves, is green in the summer and butter yellow in the fall. I have seen it a few places around our town and it is beautiful. A two foot one is about $125. See what I mean?
...See More
Sugar maples in the south?
Q
Comments (10)
Besides Legacy, here are some other cultivars supposedly heat and or drought tolerant. Also some other species and hybrids of maples: Acer saccharum 'Bonfire' More heat tolerant than most Sugar Maples. Acer saccharum 'Green Mountain' More heat and drought tolerant than most Sugar Maples, the leaves are more thick and shiny. Acer saccharum 'Sandersville' More heat tolerant than most Sugar Maples. Acer saccharum 'Steeple' More heat tolerant than most Sugar Maples. Acer saccharum 'Belle Tower' More heat and drought tolerant than most Sugar Maples. Acer saccharum 'Flashfire' More heat and drought tolerant than most Sugar Maples, it is also more leaf powdery mildew tolerant than standard 'Caddo'. Great Red fall color. Acer saccharum 'Oregon Trail' More heat and drought tolerant than most Sugar Maples, orange/red fall color. ------ Acer x freemanii 'Burgundy Belle' very drought and heat tolerant with very long lasting scarlet fall color. ------ Acer rubrum 'Florida Flame' Has great red fall color even in the deep south, and has reddish new growth. ----- Acer buergerianum 'Raising Blaze' very drought and heat tolerant, red new growth, and Red or orange/red fall color. ----- Acer x 'Gingerbread' Heat tolerant, orange/red fall color. ----- Acer truncatum 'Fire Dragon' Very Heat and drought tolerant, has great scarlet Red Fall color. ---- Acer truncatum x Acer platanoides 'Crimson Sunset' Purple leaves in summer, dark red/Purple fall color, Heat and drought tolerant. Acer truncatum x A. platanoides 'Norwegian Sunset' yellow-orange to red fall color, Heat and drought tolerant. Acer truncatum x A. platanoides 'Pacific Sunset' Tints of yellow, red, and orange in the fall, Heat and drought tolerant
...See More
musicalperson
13 years ago
No kidding. Well next time I go down to florida to visit the old folks, I should take a detour to Fairchild tropical garden.
If you go to the USF plant atlas website and do a search you'll see that dade county doesn't have any vouchered specimens of acer rubrum but mainland monroe does. Then again, the county where I saw some growing wild doesn't either. And I know I've seen some sweetgums in lee county but the map doesn't show those either.

Those trees have a huge range. I'm not surprised they tolerate the climate so much as they can tolerate the lack of chill hours and also that someone down there found some to plant or thought to plant them.

Do you live in that area?
williamr
Original Author
13 years ago
I actually live in the Orlando area, so I see plenty of red maples. I have also read about disjunct populations of Sugar maple and Sweetgum (and other similar tree species) in certain mountainous areas of Mexico and central America. I find this fascinating, as they are supposed to be relics of the last ice-age, when the range of these temperate species was much further south. Then, when it warmed back up, they retreated and have persisted only in mountainous areas.

Red Maple in South Beach

Comments (4)

musicalperson

williamr
Original Author

Related Discussions

musicalperson

williamr
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Red Maple in South Beach

Comments (4)

musicalperson

williamrOriginal Author

Related Discussions

musicalperson

williamrOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

williamr
Original Author

williamr
Original Author