The Swamp Red Maple
A great tree to plant in Northeast Louisiana
Swamp Red Maple is native to most of the coastal south, and inhabit a wide range of habitats. They are great to utilize if you need a shade tree in your landscape. A common question that customers ask is: ‘What’s a fast-growing shade tree that we can put in the yard’? I sometimes recommend the Red Maple, depending on the homeowner’s goals as well as micro-climates like drainage, soil type, and sun exposure. I would like to dissect this ornamental tree based on my experiences with planting trees in West Monroe La, and the surrounding areas.
The photo above was taken by a local tree grower and landscaper in West Monroe Louisiana. Landscapers in West Monroe Louisiana love to plant Acer Rubrum var. ‘Drummondii’ commonly known as the Swamp Red Maple or Drummond Red Maple. It is a great choice for the individual or landscape contractor that wants excellent fall color and dense shade provided by our native red maple. It has a rapid growth habit and transplants easily. We see a lot of wet sites around here, and this plant not only survives, it thrives in the marshy areas of Louisiana. It also does surprisingly well on high dry areas as well, making it a very versatile plant for landscapers in West Monroe Louisiana. Southeast TX to Southern Illinois is the native range of this plant, but thrives in climate zones 8-9, which makes it known as more of a Southernly tree. I love the simple, 3-5 lobed leaf of the Red Maple. It has a silver underside which is also very pubescent. For all the Canadians and fans of Canada: You know this leaf. You love this leaf. It is the leaf on your state flag. For the emoji people and avid texters: This is the little picture you like to send back and forth to your friends when you want to remind someone that Autumn is coming soon, and the blistering temperatures in Northeast Louisiana will possibly subside long enough to enjoy the great outdoors for a bit.
October through leaf drop, the red maple turns from yellow to orange, then a brilliant red color at the peak of foliage season! Every seed is genetically different, so no two trees turn out the exact same color! Each one is unique in that way. They can be found as a multi-trunk in the coastal forests; however, A single straight trunk is sought after in the trade and by local nurserymen, plant brokers, landscape architects, and landscapers in West Monroe. The canopy of this species is ovate and thick, especially in ideal growing conditions. They mature at about 30 ft wide by 50 ft tall, therefore it is a great idea to get these planted far enough away from your home, so the roots do not cause foundation or driveway problems.
These trees have been used by landscapers in West Monroe since the early- mid 1900’s and are still widely planted today. These trees have thin bark, which can be problematic in the case of mechanical injury or a condition known as South-west Injury. This condition occurs in predominantly young trees in the winter months when the sun is very intense. It can be identified by the bark splitting on the South-west side of the tree. Secondary fungal and bacterial infections usually occur rapidly after the trunk is split. This problem can be seen in many plantings in the Twin Cities of Northeastern Louisiana. Aphids and scale insects can be a problem, but they usually only cause minimal damage. Bark borers are guilty of attacking the trunk and twigs of this tree, so beware of buying a tree with this type of damage, and if this has already occurred, there are several methods of control for these borers. Several organic and synthetic herbicide treatments are available to control these pests in Louisiana. Leaf Spot, Verticillium Wilt, and root rot are all diseases that should be identified and treated by a local professional landscaper or other insect control specialist.
Creative Landscapes, LLC can install and maintain Swamp Red Maple Trees. If you need a landscaper in west Monroe Louisiana or the surrounding areas, we are here to help answer any questions you may have. We can provide sustainable answers for pest control and plant nutrition on your prized trees. Please feel free to reach out to one of our horticulture experts!
October through leaf drop, the red maple turns from yellow to orange, then a brilliant red color at the peak of foliage season! Every seed is genetically different, so no two trees turn out the exact same color! Each one is unique in that way. They can be found as a multi-trunk in the coastal forests; however, A single straight trunk is sought after in the trade and by local nurserymen, plant brokers, landscape architects, and landscapers in West Monroe. The canopy of this species is ovate and thick, especially in ideal growing conditions. They mature at about 30 ft wide by 50 ft tall, therefore it is a great idea to get these planted far enough away from your home, so the roots do not cause foundation or driveway problems.
These trees have been used by landscapers in West Monroe since the early- mid 1900’s and are still widely planted today. These trees have thin bark, which can be problematic in the case of mechanical injury or a condition known as South-west Injury. This condition occurs in predominantly young trees in the winter months when the sun is very intense. It can be identified by the bark splitting on the South-west side of the tree. Secondary fungal and bacterial infections usually occur rapidly after the trunk is split. This problem can be seen in many plantings in the Twin Cities of Northeastern Louisiana. Aphids and scale insects can be a problem, but they usually only cause minimal damage. Bark borers are guilty of attacking the trunk and twigs of this tree, so beware of buying a tree with this type of damage, and if this has already occurred, there are several methods of control for these borers. Several organic and synthetic herbicide treatments are available to control these pests in Louisiana. Leaf Spot, Verticillium Wilt, and root rot are all diseases that should be identified and treated by a local professional landscaper or other insect control specialist.
Creative Landscapes, LLC can install and maintain Swamp Red Maple Trees. If you need a landscaper in west Monroe Louisiana or the surrounding areas, we are here to help answer any questions you may have. We can provide sustainable answers for pest control and plant nutrition on your prized trees. Please feel free to reach out to one of our horticulture experts!