Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Height: 40-60'
Width: 30-50’
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 5.
varies by seed source
Exposure: sun
Origin: Central and Eastern United States, Canada

Description:

Red Maple is a medium-sized shade tree with an oval to rounded form. The 3-lobed leaves are bright medium green during the summer. The fall color of Red Maple can be spectacular. This trait is variable among seed-grown plants, however, and fall color can range from none (green) to yellow, orange, and brilliant red. Fall color is generally more reliable on named cultivars. Note that cultivars selected from Southern sources Acer rubrum ‘Autumn Spire’ may not color well before freezing temperatures arrive in Northern areas. Red Maple also has ornamental appeal in early spring when the small red flowers emerge. Individual Red Maples may bear primarily male flowers, primarily female flowers, or a mixture of male and female flowers. The fruit is a two-winged samara that matures in late spring or early summer. Red Maple has attractive smooth gray bark which becomes rougher on older trunks and branches.

Site and Cultural Requirements:

Red Maple tolerates a range of soil conditions but grows best in evenly moist, well drained soil. This species is not tolerant of drought or highly compacted soil. Red Maple prefers acidic soil conditions and will often develop chlorosis in high pH (>6.5) and compacted soils. Select Red Maples from Northern origins to ensure cold hardiness.

Insect/Disease Issues:

Red Maple is susceptible to sunscald injury on the trunk, especially on young trees. Leaf hoppers can cause distortion and damage to new foliage at branch tips.

Cultivars:

‘Autumn Flame’ – densely branched, symmetrically rounded form with smaller than average leaves; bright red fall color; good cold hardiness.

‘Autumn Spire’ – broad columnar form; excellent red fall color develops early; Zone 3 hardiness.

Burgundy Belle® (‘Magnificent Magenta’) – oval to rounded form with symmetrical branching habit; fall color bright red changing to burgundy.

Northfire® (‘Olson’) – oval form with uniform branching habit; bright red fall color develops early; Zone 3 hardiness.

‘Northwood’ – oval to rounded form with symmetrical branching habit; orange-red fall color; Zone 3 hardiness.

Red Sunset® (‘Franksred’) – dense oval crown with upright, symmetrical branching habit; bright red to red-orange fall color; Zone 5 hardiness.

Rubyfrost® (‘Polara’) – upright broad-oval form; improved drought tolerance; deep red fall color.

‘Schlesingeri’ – broad-rounded to vase-shaped form; colors early in fall; unique pinkish red fall color.

‘Sun Valley’ – oval form; bright orange-red fall color; resistant to leaf hoppers.

Open 9:00 AM until Sunset
Closed Mondays, open holidays
Phone: (515)-992-4211
Email: info@thebrentonarboretum.org