Red maple (Acer rubrum) is also known as “Scarlet Maple” and “Swamp Maple”. It has the greatest north to south distribution of all tree species along the east coast and is found west into the plains states. It can grow from 60 to 90 feet tall. It has red flowers, fruit, leaf stocks, and fall foliage. The reddish flowers are crowded, in almost stalkless clusters, along twigs with the male and female in separate clusters. The anthers are the part of the male flower that hold and disperse pollen. They appear in late winter and early spring. Red maples are partially wind pollinated (meaning their pollen is carried on the wind) and partially insect pollinated (carried by insects). The only totally wind pollinated maple tree is the Box Elder (Acer Negundo). It also has common names such as: “Ashleaved Maple, Cutleaved Maple, Water Ash, or Manitoba Maple”. Maple tree pollen is a major cause of inhalant allergies in late winter and early spring. There are approximately 125 species of maple in the genus Acer. The majority of maples cross react. This means that if you are allergic to one, you are allergic to all of them.