Evidence for Increasing Red Maple Abundance in the Eastern United States

Abstract

Abstract Red maple (Acer rubrum L.) is widely believed to be increasing in abundance in eastern North America, but most evidence is anecdotal or localized. In this article we present analyses of FIA data sets designed to formally quantify changes in abundance of red maple in the eastern United States during the period of 1980 to 2005. The results indicate that recent increases in red maple abundance are almost ubiquitous on a state-by-state basis throughout the species' natural range and generally greatest in the western portions of the range. No states experienced a significant decrease in red maple abundance during this period. There is evidence that the species has naturalized into areas west of its putative pre-Columbian distribution. Red maple had an inverse “J” population structure, and density of red maple trees has increased in all diameter classes across the region. The trend of increasing red maple abundance will continue unless the circumstances that cause this phenomenon are changed.