With Fall in full swing, ArborNote’s Tree of the Week is the Red Maple (Acer rubrum). The Red Maple is one of the most common and widespread deciduous trees of eastern and central North America. The U.S. Forest Service recognizes it as the most abundant native tree in eastern North America. It can be found growing in swamps, on poor, dry soils, and almost anywhere in between. It grows well from sea level to about 3,000 ft. It is also the state tree of Rhode Island! In Fall, the leaves explode into a fantastic display of red leaves. However, the leaves, especially when dead or wilted, are extremely toxic to horses, which is interesting since other animals rely on the Red Maple for their food source. Native Americans used red maple bark as a wash for inflamed eyes and cataracts, and as a remedy for hives and muscular aches. Pioneers also made cinnamon-brown and black dyes from a bark extract, and iron sulphate could be added to the tannin from red maple bark in order to make ink.