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THE MICHIGAN BOTANIST
Vol. 45
THE BIG TREES AND SHRUBS OF MICHIGAN
50. Acer rubrum L.
Red Maple
Elwood B. Ehrle
Dept. of Biological Sciences
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
[email protected]
The largest known Red Maple in Michigan is located in China Township,
southwest of St. Clair, MI in St. Clair County in the southeastern portion of
Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
Description of the Species: Bright red flowers appearing before the leaves
in the spring, red twigs and light gray bark on young trunks and branches immediately identifies trees having these characteristics as Red Maples. The
leaves are opposite, simple and 3-5 lobed. The lobes are irregularly serrate and
are separated by broad sinuses (See Fig. 1). The fruit is a samara characteristic
of the family Aceraceae but is smaller than those of many other species of
maples. The wings of the samaras are only 2-3 cm long. The leaves turn bright
red, orange and/or yellow in the fall. Red maples are frequently planted due to
their bright red coloration. In nature, Red Maples occur in wet lowland places
in the southern part of the state. In the northern part of the Lower Peninsula
they may also be found on more mesic upland sites. In the Upper Peninsula
they occur in mesic forests but are more frequently seen in conifer-hardwood
swamps.
Location of Michigan's Big Tree: The State Champion Red Maple is located
at 6700 Puttygut Rd. in China Township in St. Clair County. To reach the tree,
take State Route 29 south from Port Huron through St. Clair, MI. Turn left on
Chartier Rd. and go west 0.4 mi to King St. Turn right and go 5.3 mi to Puttygut
Rd. Turn left and go west 3.5 mi. to 6700 Puttygut Rd. A yellow (fading to gray)
barn is located behind the house and across a pasture. The tree is about one mile
down a 2-track east of the barn. The coordinates for the barn are 420 47.222' N
X 820 34.834' W. The coordinates for the tree are 420 47.339' N X 82034.763'
W.
Description of Michigan's Big Tree: The tree has a single, solid, healthy
trunk. The first branch occurs nine feet from the ground. I measured the girth
on Sept. 3, 2003 at 233". Subsequent measurements by North Carolina Big
Tree Hunter, Will Blozan, and Robert Bloye of the Michigan State University
Forestry Dept. gave nearly identical measurements. The height was measured
by EBE at 116', WB at 120' and RB at 114'. The average of these three is
117'. The crown spread was measured by EBE at 86' and by WB at 82'.
