What was the red maple tree used for?

It's an attractive tree. A lot of times people just kept them around like forsythia or lilacs because they are pretty to look at. I wouldn't consider it a timber species it is too small and slow growing. It's valuable for low lying wet areas--other than willow and birch not a lot of trees will survive there. Any species of maple can be tapped for maple sugar though sugar maple has the best quality. All maples produce copious amounts of seeds the seeds themselves as well as the sprouted seedlings provide food for wildlife like rabbits and deer and the tree provides cover and nesting areas.