Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00000028
11/12/99

Acer rubrum--Red Maple, Swamp Maple


Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7
Height: 50 ft Spread: 40 ft Form: upright
Type: deciduous tree
Annual Growth Rate: 12 to 18 inches

Comments: This tree is preferred over Silver Maple or
Boxelder when a fast-growing maple is needed. Red Maple
is useful in wet places and compacted soil but is
susceptible to manganese deficiency in high pH soils. The
outstanding ornamental characteristic of Red Maple is red
fall color. It is one of the first trees to develop fall
color in autumn. The cultivars 'Autumn Flame', 'Tilford',
'Gerling', and 'Bowhall' reportedly provide consistent
fall color display in the southern U.S. The red flowers
(Vis. 23) are numerous but small, and on individual trees
can be quite ornamental. The smooth gray bark (Vis. 22) is
considered ornamental.

Cultivars: In recent years trees have been propagated by
softwood cutting to overcome graft incompatibilities that
were a problem in the past. The cultivars listed as A. X
Freemanii are hybrids between A. rubrum and A.
saccharinum.
'Armstrong'(A. x freemanii) - A fast-growing, narrow
tree (Vis. 6) with ascending branches often used for
street planting.
Autumn Fantasy TM (Acer x freemanii 'DTR 102') - Bright
red fall color on plants 50 feet tall and 40 feet wide.
'Autumn Flame' - One of the most reliable and first Red
Maples to color (Vis. 2) in the fall. The tree grows
more slowly and has smaller leaves than most other
cultivars (Vis. 1).
'Autumn Radiance' - A rounded tree that develops fall
color two weeks earlier than October Glory(R) and Red
Sunset(R).
'Autumn Spire' - A northern selection from a Minnesota
seed source with an oval form, excellent hardiness
and red fall color (Vis. 7).
'Bowhall' - A narrow tree (Vis. 8) useful as a street
tree.
'Celzam' (Celebration(R))(A. x freemanii) - A compact,
pyramidal, seedless tree with red and yellow fall
color. The tree reaches a height and spread of 15
feet and may be clipped for use as hedge (Vis. 3).
'Columnare' - The narrowest Red Maple with a stiffly
fastigiate growth habit (Vis. 9).
'Embers' - A rounded tree with good fall color.
'Fairview Flame TM' - A vigorous tree reaching a height
of 50 feet, red foliage.
'Firzam' (Fireball TM) - A symmetrical, narrow pyramid
turning red and yellow in the fall. Reaches a height of
45 feet with a spread of 30 feet.
'Franksred' (Red Sunset(R)) - Developed by Frank
Schmidt, Jr., this is a vigorous tree with a
symmetrical branching pattern. (Vis. 18) The foliage
is red and orange-red (Vis. 19) in the fall.
'Jeffersred' (Autumn Blaze(R)) - The dense, oval crown
consists of ascending branches. The orange-red fall
color is combined with drought tolerance.
'Karpick' - Narrow when young, becoming oval with age,
another Red Maple useful as a street tree (Vis. 10).
'Landsburg' (Firedance Maple TM) - A selection from the
Brainerd area in Northern Minnesota. This is a
medium size tree with good branching habit, early
fall color and cold tolerance. Introduced by Bailey
Nurseries in 1988 (Vis. 11).
'Marmo' (A. x freemanii) - An upright, oval tree with a
strong central leader. The fall color (Vis. 4) is a
blend of scarlet and maroon with some green. This
seedless tree is reported to have better branch
structure and strength than silver maple (Vis. 5).
'Morgan' (A. x freemanii) - An extremely vigorous
cultivar that was selected at Macdonald College in
Quebec. It colors well even in mild climates.
Northwood(R) - A hardy cultivar selected from a northern
Minnesota seed source by the University of Minnesota.
It has a straight trunk and good branch angles but
does not produce fall color (Vis. 13) as reliably as
some other red maples (Vis. 12).
October Glory(R) - A round-headed selection that is the
last of the cultivars to color (Vis. 15) in the fall.
It seems to have less cold tolerance than other
cultivars and is best used in areas with mild winters
and hot summers. (Vis. 14)
'Olson' (Northfire Maple TM) - A selection made in
Brainerd, Minnesota with good branching (Vis. 16) habit
and brilliant, early fall color (Vis. 17).
'Scarsen' (Scarlet Sentinel TM)(A. x freemanii.) - An
upright branch (Vis. 20) pattern makes the tree
suitable for use in street lawns or parking areas. The
leaves hold up well in summer heat (Vis. 21).
'Schlesingeri' - The tree forms a broad vase shaped
crown. The fall color is pastel red rather than the
bright red of other cultivars.

References for Cultivars: J. Frank Schmidt and Son 1999,
Bailey Nurseries 1999, Chicagoland Grows Inc. 1994, Lake
County Nursery 1999, Weston Nurseries 1999, Princeton
Nurseries 1999, Monrovia Nursery Company 1997, Ray
Wiegand's Nursery 1999, Sheridan Nurseries 1999, Moller's
Nursery 1997, Studebaker Nurseries 1999, Berryhill Nurseries
1999, Scarff's Nursery 1999, Gee Farms 1999, Willoway
Nurseries 1999, Carlton Plants 1999.


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