Autumn Blaze Maple, Autumn Blaze Freeman Maple, Acer × freemanii 'Jeffersred', Acer platanoides 'Autumn Blaze', Acer rubrum 'Autumn Blaze', Acer saccharinum 'Autumn Blaze'
Autumn Blaze Maple (Acer x freemanii ‘Autumn Blaze’) is a hybrid of Red Maple (Acer rubrum) and Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum). It is renowned for its rapid growth, brilliant fall color, and adaptability to various landscapes. This deciduous tree combines the best attributes of its parent species, offering a strong structure, vibrant autumn foliage, and tolerance to urban conditions.
Autumn Blaze Maple is not a naturally occurring species but a cultivated hybrid. It has been widely planted across North America, thriving in temperate regions from USDA zones 3 to 8.
Autumn Blaze Maple is a large, deciduous tree with an upright, oval to rounded crown. Its symmetrical growth habit and dense canopy make it an excellent shade tree.
Mature Autumn Blaze Maples typically reach heights of 40 to 50 feet (12-15 m) with a spread of 30 to 40 feet (9-12 m). It is a fast-growing tree, adding 3 to 5 feet (90-150 cm) per year under ideal conditions. Discover 35 Fast Growing Trees for Small Yards and Large Gardens
With proper care, Autumn Blaze Maple can live for 80 to 100 years.
Flowers are small, greenish-yellow to red, appearing in early spring before the leaves emerge. Autumn Blaze Maple rarely produces significant fruit, but when present, the samaras (winged seeds) are smaller and less abundant than those of Silver Maple.
The deeply lobed leaves resemble those of Red Maple but with a more refined texture. They emerge green in spring and summer, turning brilliant orange-scarlet to crimson-red in fall. The delicate foliage holds its color for several weeks before shedding to the ground.
The bark is smooth and gray when young, developing furrows and ridges with age. providing some winter interest.
Autumn Blaze Maple is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8, tolerating both cold winters and hot summers.
Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
While Autumn Blaze Maple is not a primary wildlife tree, its flowers provide nectar for early pollinators, and its leaves offer shelter for birds and insects.
Young trees may be susceptible to browsing, but mature trees are more resistant.
Leaves can be toxic to horses when wilted, similar to Red Maple.
Autumn Blaze Maple is not considered invasive and does not aggressively spread like some other maple species.
Water young trees regularly until established. Mature trees are moderately drought-tolerant.
Apply a balanced fertilizer (such as 16-4-8) in early spring to encourage healthy growth.
Autumn Blaze Maple can be propagated from softwood cuttings to preserve its desirable traits.
Grafting ensures strong growth and uniform characteristics, commonly used in nurseries.
Autumn Blaze Maple is not subject to serious pest or disease issues. However, like any plant, it may experience a few problems.
Despite these potential issues, Autumn Blaze Maple is generally a hardy and low-maintenance tree, making it an excellent choice for landscapes.
While the Autumn Blaze Maple is a popular choice for its fast growth and brilliant fall color, it does have some drawbacks:
The Autumn Blaze Maple typically grows to a height of 40 to 50 feet (12-15 meters) at maturity, with a spread of 30 to 40 feet (9-12 meters). It is known for its rapid growth, gaining 3 to 5 feet (0.9-1.5 meters) per year in ideal conditions.
For optimal growth, plant Autumn Blaze Maple in a location that meets the following criteria:
Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Trees |
Plant Family | Sapindaceae |
Genus | Acer |
Common names | Maple |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 40' - 50' (12.2m - 15.2m) |
Spread | 30' - 40' (9.1m - 12.2m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
Tolerance | Drought |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden |
Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Trees |
Plant Family | Sapindaceae |
Genus | Acer |
Common names | Maple |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 40' - 50' (12.2m - 15.2m) |
Spread | 30' - 40' (9.1m - 12.2m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
Tolerance | Drought |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden |
How many Acer x freemanii Autumn Blaze (Freeman Maple) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Acer x freemanii Autumn Blaze (Freeman Maple) | N/A | Buy Plants |
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!