Red Maple Acer Rubrum Seedlings old_product_id_9835 Unattended It will grow in Unattended The two go hand in hand more often than not Acer rubrum has many benefits‚ in addition to its ornamental uses․ It is an important tree to the ecosystem of its native range․ Many animals live on red maples․ Birds‚ insects‚ and small mammals such as chipmunks and squirrels live on the trees․ Bees foraging for food after a long winter also utilize the red maple's early blooming flowers for nectar․ The seeds are consumed by birds and small mammals․ Due to their wide ranging root systems‚ red maples are effective in preventing erosion and sedimentation along the banks of rivers and streams‚ and they play a role in stabilizing the hydrology of wetlands as a water retention and filtration species․ The tree is also often found growing in hardwood forests‚ alongside other species of trees‚ such as oaks and pines․ While they prefer full sunlight they can be found in partially cleared areas‚ giving red maples the description of being found in many different habitat types․ Red maples can grow to a height of 40 60 feet (12 18 m) and a width of 25 30 feet (8 9 m)‚ which makes them adaptable in many landscapes․ They are adaptable to urban and more natural habitats‚ resulting in their wide distribution across much of the eastern United States and Canada․