Digging deeperPlant Library

Autumn Blaze Maple in fall

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Autumn Blaze Maple

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Description:

A popular hybrid of the silver and red maples combining the best attributes of both; stunning fall colors, excellent habit of growth, tolerant of conditions, fast growing; an excellent alternative for locations where a red maple may not grow

Ornamental Features

Autumn Blaze Maple features showy clusters of red flowers along the branches in early spring before the leaves. It has green deciduous foliage. The lobed leaves turn outstanding shades of orange and in the fall. The furrowed gray bark and brick red branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Autumn Blaze Maple is a deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds and squirrels to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Autumn Blaze Maple is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• Windbreaks and Shelterbelts

Planting & Growing

Autumn Blaze Maple will grow to be about 50 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 45 feet. It has a high canopy of foliage that sits well above the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.