Dave in Port St. Lucie reports his decades old red maple bloomed, produced seeds and new leaves, However, suddenly, the leaves turned brown on the tree and one other in his yard.

Even the much-maligned Norway maple can be tapped. And though I hesitate to admit it, the Norway maple, which along with its red-leaf cultivars is listed as an invasive species, can be used.

Red Maple Crowding Out Oaks Across East Species, While Beautiful, Is Causing Damage in Forests With Its Enormous Shift November 9, 2003 By Bob Fernandez ...

The hard maples include the sugar and black maple, and have great commercial value because of their strong, close grained wood, often used for making furniture, cabinets, flooring and wood trim.

Red maple benefits wildlife in many ways, Hamilton added. Buds, flowers, seeds and even the bark are food for moth caterpillars, aphids, leafhoppers and beetle larvae.