Red Maple Acer Rubrum Seedlings old_product_id_9835 Unattended The Thuja Green Giant Unattended Cultural Significance has played a Big Role in The Dogwood Tree's Role in America 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․ Acer rubrum prefers moist acidic soils and is normally found growing along river banks‚ swamps‚ and floodplains