The red maple , Acer rubrum , is one of the most popular and wide used trees in the home landscape , thriving in USDA Hardiness geographical zone 3 to 10 . This sensitive - sized , deciduous Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree isnativeto Eastern North America , ranging from Quebec to Minnesota , in the south to Florida , and due west to eastern Texas . In the southernmost part of their range of mountains , crimson maples are a wetland species , which has earned them the nickname “ swampland maple . ”Not all blood-red maple ferment red in the fall , which is why plant breeders have developed cultivar that proffer more good , vibrant drop color . The termrubrum , of its Latin name , key out theoverall rednessof the tree , rather than tumble foliage .
verbal description
cluster of small , redbuds and red flowersappear on the tree in early springtime ( March / April ) before the leaves appear . Male and female flowers typically occur on separate trees , but can be on disjoined branches on the same tree . Occasionally flowers areperfect(have both male and female parts ) . Male peak are pink to scarlet , seldom yellow ; distaff efflorescence have two burnished red arching styles in the center . The flowers become reddish - green , two - winged yield ( samaras)that can be encounter swirl to the ground by early May . Twigs are reddish . Leaves are medium to disconsolate unripe , 2–6″ in length , with 3 or 5 lobes , and roughly - toothed edge . Young trunks are smooth and light gray-haired ; old trunks are darker gray and disunite by vertical ridges into large , plate - like scales .
IN THE WILD
Red maples are perhaps the most abundant Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in the eastern deciduous forest . This condition can be impute to the tree ’s Renaissance man tendencies . A Renaissance man coinage is one that cantolerate a wide scope of habitat conditionsand expend many different types of resources . crimson maples do well in sunny or shady spots , dry or crocked territory , and in high spirits or broken elevation . Adaptable root facilitate the reddened maple to contend with differing moisture levels . If the tree is place in pie-eyed soil , it originate a little taproot and extensive lateral ascendant to soak up weewee at the surface . When red maples grow in ironic sites , a foresightful taproot and short sidelong roots develop . Despite their singular adaptations , red maples rise better in some conditions than in others . Deep , moist , acidic land consequence in the healthiest red maples .
Although their life span averages 80 - 100 years , not a tenacious life in Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree term , they begin producing seed at about 4 long time . After fervency or hurricane , when many Tree are decimate , red maples leaping up quickly and can become the prevalent species in the forest .
WILDLIFE
The fruits ( samaras ) bring home the bacon intellectual nourishment for squirrels and many other rodent . Young shoot are a favorite of clean - track cervid . Equus caballus owners should note , however , that wilted or dried maple leaves can betoxic to Equus caballus . Doug Tallamy ( 2009 ) notes that in addition to the crimson maple acting as a larval server for the Cecropia Moth ( Hyalophora cecropia moth ) , maples support many woods - loving Lepidoptera :
If you imbed aboriginal maples in your yard , you are start the rosy maple moth ( Dryocampa rubicunda ) , the ellipse - based prominent moth ( Peridea basitriens ) , the retarded dagger moth ( Acronicta rubicoma ) , the orange - have intercourse maple worm ( Symmerista leucitys ) , the maple looper ( Parallelia bistriaris ) , and the Baltimore bomolocha ( Bomolocha baltimoralis or Hypena baltimoralis ) to exist where they otherwise could not .
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
The barque is tenuous on most maples , and easily damaged by mechanically skillful wallop . combat injury can make the tree more susceptible to disease and insects . To avoid damaging shallow feeding ascendent , tree diagram should be planted where greensward below the canopy is not desire . Mulchingaround trees will help oneself protect the trunk and ascendent from mechanical damage , conserve moisture , and help keep dirt temperatures nerveless . Spread mulch 2 - 4″ deep to thedrip lineof the tree canopy , making certain thatthe mulch does not touch the bole , and that the theme flare is visible . The mulch should take shape aflat “ donut”with the tree ’s torso in the center . ( Seemulching guidelinesprovided by the Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards . )
look on for aphid , leafhoppers , borers , scale and caterpillars . Leafhoppers can cause substantial damage . Canker , fungal leaf billet , and root rots may happen . cherry maples are also subject to anthracnose fungus , but this is usually not serious . Verticilliumwilt is a much braggart problem and is discussed below . current of air and ice may fail some branches . Alkaline grunge ( those with a pH above 7.5 ) normally do leafage greensickness ( a yellowing of the foliage blades , often with pronounced unripe mineral vein ) . Abnormal yellow people of colour in maple trees is frequently associated with nourishing want , particularly manganese . Manganese nutritive lack leads to nitrogen lack , resulting in pitiful chlorophyll production and stunted growth . As soil pH increases ( becomes more alkaline ) , the power of the red maple to take up manganese decreases . If high pH is affirm by a grease test , you’re able to lower your soil ’s pH ( make it more acidic ) , by applying elemental sulphur or acidifying fertilizers .
ruby-red maple is moderately sensitive to being transplanted in autumn , and concern should be hold to ameliorate the soil , fecundate , water supply thoroughly , mulch adequately , and avoid winter Strategic Arms Limitation Talks nebuliser , to raise survival chances during the first winter . Maples are considered ‘ bleeders ’ and are comfortably prune in other winter or during summer . They do not tolerate heavy pollution .
VERTICILLIUMWILT
Maples are susceptible toVerticilliumwilt which assault the vascular system and can be fatal . Verticilliumwilt is do by a ground fungus calledVerticillium dahliae . This fungus live in grunge as small , darkened structures called microsclerotia . These microsclerotia may lie dormant in the grease for up to 10 years . When the roots of susceptible industrial plant grow tight to the microsclerotia , the fungus germinates and infects the tooth root of the plant through injury or raw openings . The fungus spreads into the branches through the flora ’s vascular organisation and at the same time stimulate the flora cell to “ plug ” themselves . Once the xylem is infected , it becomes so punch that water can no longer reach the folio . Verticilliumcan spread through wounds on branch or trunks .
The disease can fall out either sharply or chronically . In sharp infections , a branch or a surgical incision of several branches of the tree may wilt and turn over brown rather suddenly . Often , other branch soon follow , until most or all of the branches are wilted . Leaves may also bend sensationalistic between the veins , or may drop prematurely . Branches may die back . Acute infections pass off when the fungus is experience in the new wood ( the sapwood ) .
Inchronic infections , leaves may be smaller than usual or yellow , often with brown edges . The tree diagram may arise ill and may bring about abnormally large seed crops . The Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree does not wilt or die quickly , butdeclines slowly over time . Chronic infections occur when the fungus is populate in Old woodwind . The appearing of streaking helps to identify the disease but does not guarantee that the tree hasVerticilliumwilt . Sometimes other factor or diseases induce discoloration of sapwood . Only science lab examination can positively diagnose the disease . At this prison term , there is no known chemical restraint for this disease .
Because the fungus lives in the ground and does not spread through the wind , there is no need to quickly remove infected trees . Dead branches should be prune out to prevent contagion by other fungus ; call up to sterilise tools . Plants showing early symptom should be watered and fertilize . Use plant food lower in N and higher in K . When replace trees that have died fromVerticilliumwilt , pick out resistant speciessuch as conifers , crabapple , beech , ginkgo , hackberry , hawthorn , hickory , snowy oak tree and poplar , among others . Visit thislinkfor a listing of tree and shrubs that aresusceptibleto the disease . Allow several years ( three or more ) before growing a susceptible plant in an infected area . Do not plant back into the same hole .
ACER RUBRUMCULTIVARS
Acer rubrumis prized for its adaptability to different conditions , its fast growth pace , pleasing build , and pin colouring material . Consistently beautiful fall colour , however , is available through cultivars .
The postdate lists includes some of the more frequently used red maple cultivars , so that reader concerned in plant a red-faced maple can learn about the characteristics of unlike cultivars . These lists might also avail clear up some of the confusion between cultivars that are cross between red maple , and cultivars that are hybrid between blood-red maples and silverish maple . This first list shows cultivar that are crosses between red maples .
Acer rubrum‘October Glory ’ : This female cultivar ( patented in 1961 ) grow 40 - 60 ’ marvellous and 20 - 25 ’ wide with an ellipse rounded chassis . Attractive crimson efflorescence appear in early leaping before the leaf come out . prime give way to red - tinged key . Glossy colored green leaves retain secure green color well into fall ( farseeing than many otherA. rubrumcultivars ) , and in more northerly region are sometimes subjected to ice prior to acquiring declination colouration . It is best used north of USDA hardiness geographical zone 9 . Orange River to red fall colouration for this cultivar is brilliant in most year . It turns color late in October .
Acer rubrum‘Autumn Flame’:Patented in 1964 , this male pick produce greenish - jaundiced flowers in spring , but no fruit . It is noted for abundant folio that are littler in size than those of the species . A brainy scarlet fall color develops abouttwo hebdomad prior to fall semblance on the coinage . Noted for its pleasing rounded habit as a young tree , it matures 40 - 60′ tall , and 30 - 50 ’ wide . May lack the daring of other cultivars .
Acer rubrum‘Brandywine ’ : A hybrid between two popular red-faced maple cultivars , ‘ October resplendency ’ and ‘ Autumn Flame ’ . It grows 40 ’ tall and 30 ’ broad ; oval form ; male cultivar ( seedless ) ; cryptic red fall color;resistant to leafhopper .
Red Sunset ® red maple(Acer rubrum‘Franksred’):Grows 40 - 50 ’ tall and 30 - 35 ’ astray ; pyramidal to rounded kind . In early spring before the leaves emerge , tiny red flowers cover the canopy of the tree . The samaras , or fly seeds , release bright red in early summer and then fade to embrown and come down to the ground . Foliage starts as a shining , non-white gullible change by reversal to bright Marxist and Orange in the fall . One of the best red maple for fall colour .
Redpointe ® red maple(Acer rubrum‘Frank Jr. ’):A pyramidal material body growing 40 - 50 ’ tall and 25 - 30 ’ wide . Foliage originate as a bright green in spring , darken to a glossy , blue green in summertime , and turn to abrilliant red ink in the downslope . It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 6 feet from the priming , and should not be engraft underneath business leader lines . As it matures , the depleted branch of this tree can be strategically absent to create a gamey enough canopy to defend unobstructed human traffic underneath .
Acer rubrum‘Bowhall ’ – arise to 45 ’ tall and 15 ’ wide , it isnarrower in widththan other ruby maple cultivar , such as ‘ Red Sunset ’ or ‘ October Glory ’ , making it suitable to smaller planting areas . Leaves are borne on upright staunch which give the tree its upright to ellipse crown at due date . During the summer month , the leaves are drab green above and grayish at a lower place . In the fall , the leaves sprain shades of icteric , orange and reddish - orange . It is considered to have in force fall color than the Freeman maple cultivar ‘ Armstrong ’ .
Two newer cultivarshave been introduced from theU.S. National Arboretum red maple research project . Both are manly cultivar that do n’t produce seeded player , show good leafhopper immunity , and march brilliant red fall colour . As raw introductions , they do n’t seem to be wide usable at this period . Both choose full sun and moist , acid soils .
Acer rubrum‘Somerset’:A hybridization betweenA. rubrum‘October Glory ’ andA. rubrum‘Autumn Flame ’ . develop 40 ’ tall and 30 ’ astray . Showy clusters of cherry-red blossom in early spring ; foliage emerge red in the bounce , twist to intermediate super acid . firm , vertical growth habitat with a moderately oval-shaped crown . Bark is silvery gray and furrowed . Long - hold out brilliant red color starts in late October ; has been shown tocolor well as far in the south as Georgia ( Hardiness zone 8) .
Acer rubrum‘Sun Valley’:A cross betweenA. rubrum‘Red Sunset ’ andA. rubrum‘Autumn Flame ’ . Grows to 40 ’ tall and 35 ’ wide-eyed ; oval and obtusely branched . It has pinkish , ball - mold efflorescence in outflow . Bark is low-cal gray and smooth when young , turning black gray with eld . USDA Hardiness zones 4 - 7 .
FREEMAN MAPLE ( ACER FREEMANII )
Freeman maples are crossbreed of red maples and silver-tongued maple . They flux the strong branch attachment of the red maple and the fast ontogenesis pace of the silvern maple . One criticism cited is a trend for these cultivars to develop multiple leader that , in combination with narrow crotch angle , may predispose the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to structural failure subsequently in sprightliness . These cultivars have a brilliant , red - orange color in the nightfall , and areless prostrate to chlorosis symptoms due to alkaline grease . Oliver M. Freeman of the National Arboretum made the first controlled crosses between red maple and silver maple in 1933.Crosses between red and silver maple go on not only by manipulate propagation , but also naturally in the wilderness . It is sometimes difficult to identify a Freeman cross because of the complexness of crosses and backcrosses that may occur . Cultivars are sometimes listed for sales event by nurseries underAcer rubruminstead ofAcer×freemanii , making it hard for consumers to know what they ’re buying . To infer these cultivars , let ’s look at the equipment characteristic of the smooth-spoken maple .
SILVER MAPLE(ACER SACCHARINUM )
The silver maple is aboriginal to the easternand centralUnited Statesand to Canada . This is the fast development of all American maple specie , with a growth charge per unit of 10 - 12 ’ in four to five years . It grows 50 - 70 ’ marvellous and 35 - 50 ’ wide . Although it tolerates a wide multifariousness of soils , it prefers moist soil in deep woods and along stream banks . This tree has a very vigorous root system that can buckle sidewalk , clog drain tile , and invade infected field or well pipes . Due to its rapid outgrowth , the forest is weak and prostrate to storm damage . It is susceptible to many diseases and insect pests , particularly the lanate alder aphid .
In spite of these problems , smooth-spoken maple is a very popular tree and planted often , mainly because of its rapid emergence and informality of culture . The lustrous green leaves are silvery underneath , and are especially attractive when fluttering in the wind .
ACERx FREEMANIICULTIVARS
Armstrong Freeman maple(Acerxfreemanii‘Armstrong ’ ): With an vertical , narrowform , this tree can reach a acme of 50 - 70 ’ with a 15 - 20 ’ spread . It can tolerate cockeyed soils . Although it does not have strong fall coloration , it does turn orangish - red . Other cultivars are considered to have better fall color .
Armstrong Gold flushed maple(Acer rubrum‘KW78 ’ ): Selected from an rating of hundreds of seedlings of ‘ Armstrong ’ , this cultivar improves greatly on the parent , with brighter foliage color , greater foliage denseness , and a thickset , less long-legged growth habit . Itscolumnar formrecommends it for narrow street planting site . raise 40 ’ tall and 12 ’ wide .
Autumn Blaze ® Freeman maple(Acerxfreemanii‘Jeffsred ’ ): A rounded to broad ellipse tree , growing 50 - 60 ’ tall and 40 - 50 ’ wide . It has a potent central leader and better branching drug abuse than silver maple , cause it well adapt to areas with either ice or snow . Fall color is a consistent orange - bolshy to cherry-red - red . Originally remember to be a male tree , it has produce fruit in some pillowcase . It stand clay soil , and will defy both wet soil condition and drought .
Autumn Fantasy ® Freeman maple(Acerxfreemanii‘DTR 102 ): A broadly ellipse frame growing about 50 ’ marvellous and 40 ’ wide . Produces shining red twilight color . This maple is drought liberal .
Celebration ® Freeman maple(Acerxfreemanii‘Celzam ’ ): A generally ellipse form maturate about 50 ’ magniloquent and 35 ’ wide . leafage are similar to silver maple , but this cultivar has a more undifferentiated growth habit , making itmore resistant to violent storm harm . It is more broad of urban term . Fall colour is yellow to orange .
Firefall ™ Freeman maple(Acerxfreemanii‘AF#1 ’ ): An vertical , oval form grow 50 ’ tall and 35 ’ wide . The orangish - red - to - red fall color germinate a little earlier than other cultivar . substantially suited to northerly climates .
Marmo(Acerxfreemanii‘Marmo ’ ): This cultivar has a uniform , just - to - columnar form . It grows 45 - 70 ’ tall and 40 ’ wide . It has a warm central loss leader and first-class furcate riding habit . Fall semblance is an interesting mottled blend of red and immature to Burgundy wine and chicken . Produces no yield . The parent tree diagram was selected from the collections at The Morton Arboretum and is a Chicagoland Grows ® introduction . ( See this linkup for information onChicagoland Grows ® . )
Sienna Glen ® Freeman maple(Acerxfreemanii‘Sienna ’ ): This cultivar has a strong central drawing card and a uniform , pyramidal shape , making it less prostrate to breaking in wind and storms . It acquire 50’tall and 35 ’ wide . Fall color is orange to red - burgundy . This is an excellent street or specimen Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and is kind of salt , drought , flooding , alkaline soils , and pollution .
SUMMARY
If you are looking for a aboriginal shade tree diagram that can thrive in many different conditions , the red-faced maple step to the front . It is happy in full sunshine and in acidic , moist - to - stiff soils . Cultivars offer systematically beautiful fall colors that help ease the bother of read goodbye to summertime . Freeman maples are a hybridisation between red maples and silvern maples . These cultivar were developed to combine the very firm growth rate of the silver maple , and the stronger physique of the red maple . There is still some worry about its predisposition to structural bankruptcy later in spirit , particularly if institute in high wind areas . Freeman cultivar are generally more patient of of alkaline soils than are red maple . As aboriginal trees , cherry maples are important contributors to a various ecosystem of aboriginal plant , insects , and skirt that support each other robustly and thrive in our home landscape .
source
Bringing Nature Home , Douglas W. Tallamy , Timber Press , 2009
Common Native Trees of Virginia , https://www.dof.virginia.gov / infopubs / Native - Tree - ID_2020.pdf
“ Red Maple , ” the Morton Arboretum , https://www.mortonarb.org / trees - plants / tree - plant - verbal description / red - maple
“ Silver Maple , ” the Morton Arboretum , https://www.mortonarb.org / Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree - plants / tree diagram - flora - descriptions / silver - maple
“ Maple , ” Clemson Cooperative Extension , https://hgic.clemson.edu / factsheet / maple/
“ Acer rubrum , ” Ohio State University , https://hvp.osu.edu / pocketgardener / informant / description / ac_ubrum.html
“ Acer rubrum , ” University of Connecticut Plant Database , http://www.hort.uconn.edu / plants / detail.php?pid=13
“ Acer rubrum,”Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder , https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org / PlantFinder / PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode = j170
“ Say NO to Volcano Mulching , ” Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards , https://www.charlottesvilleareatreestewards.org / wp - content / uploads/2020/02 / Volcano - mulch - brochure - V3 - Sep-2019 - 1.pdf
“ mulch Landscape Trees , ” PennState Extension , https://extension.psu.edu / mulching - landscape - tree
“ Fungal DiseaseVerticilliumWilt , ” University of Illinois Extension , Hort Answers , https://web.extension.illinois.edu / hortanswers / detailproblem.cfm?PathogenID=26
“ Verticillium dahliae , ” NC State University , https://projects.ncsu.edu / cals / course / pp728 / Verticillium / Vertifin.htm
“ VerticilliumWilt – A Serious Disease of Trees and Shrubs , ” Iowa State University Extension and Outreach , https://www.extension.iastate.edu / news/2005 / jun/071602.htm
“ Red Maple , ” The National Wildlife Federation , https://www.nwf.org / Educational - Resources / Wildlife - Guide / Plants - and - Fungi / Red - Maple
“ Bowhall Red Maple , ” Washington State University , Clark County Extension , http://www.pnwplants.wsu.edu / PlantDisplay.aspx?PlantID=108
“ Acer rubrum‘Somerset ’ and ‘ Sun Valley’,”National Arboretum ,
https://www.usna.usda.gov/assets/images/as_standard_image/Acer_rubrum_Somerset_and_Sun_Valley.pdf
“ Red maple tree leaves can be toxic to horses , ” Michigan State University Extension , https://www.canr.msu.edu / intelligence / red_maple_tree_leaves_can_be_toxic_to_horses
“ wet stress and lack of nutrients kick in to maple color issues , ” Michigan State University Extension , https://www.canr.msu.edu / news / moisture_stress_and_lack_of_nutrients_contribute_to_maple_color_issues
Featured exposure : Acer rubrum(Swamp Maple ) Photo : Chris Evans , University of Illinois , Bugwood.org
