Acer rubrum
Deciduous Tree

USDA Zones: 3 - 9
Light: sun
Form: Rounded/Oval
Height:  50 feet
Width:  40 feet
Height at 20 years: 20 feet
Flower Colors: red
Bloom Time: early spring
Special Features:
Fall Color
Fast Growing
Flowers
Tolerates Drought
US Native/Wildflower

Red maple is popular for its fall display of brilliant red, orange, or yellow leaves. It reaches 40 to 60 feet tall and slightly less wide. Mature trees typically have an irregular ovoid or rounded crown. The red flowers cover the tree in late winter or early spring, before the leaves emerge.

For reliable fall color, choose a named cultivar, not the species.

Notable Varieties
'Somerset,' 'Sun Valley, and 'Brandywine' are insect resistant. They reach about 25 feet tall.
'Autumn Flame' has reliable red fall color in the North and reaches 60 feet tall
'Red Sunset' and 'Crimson Glory' have reliable crimson fall color in the South.

Care
If needed, prune in late winter.

Planting
Plant container-grown, balled-and-burlapped, or bare-root plants in spring in full sun. It tolerates a range of soils, but prefers slightly acid, moist conditions. Trees can develop chlorosis in alkaline soil.

Pests and Diseases
Edges of leaves scorch in hot, dry weather -- choose resistant cultivars.