The Red Maple is named for its bright red fall foliage, red flowers, fruit and twigs. The tree's fruit, called samaras, contains a seed attached to a wing. Commonly referred to as helicopters or whirlybirds, the seeds spread far and wide, a welcomed springtime snack for squirrels and chipmunks.

Successful and abundant in the Eastern United States, the Red Maple has a useful and long history in the Americas. 

• Indigenous people used the bark for pain relief. Other medicinal uses included eye wash, and a remedy for cough, diarrhea, and hives.

• Early American settlers used an extract from the bark to make brown and black dyes. Adding iron sulphate, they also made ink.

• Although not as high in sugar as the Sugar Maple, indigenous people taught the early settlers how to extract syrup from the Red Maple.

• Maple is currently used in a variety of ways from furniture-making, flooring, musical instruments, and much more due to the fine-grained, white wood. 

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References:

United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service

National Wildlife Federation