Acer rubrum, Red Maple has excellent fall color along with other beneficial characteristics, which makes it a superior tree for the home landscape.

The Wilson Display Garden at 1806 S. Goldsboro Street has an 'October Glory' Red Maple which is known for it's scarlet red fall color.

Red Maples typically grow 40-60 feet in height and equal in spread. In youth the tree tends to be pyramidal but develops a rounded crown. They are considered medium to fast growers and can be 10-12 feet in 5 to 7 years.

Besides nice dark green leaves in spring and summer and excellent fall color Red Maples also have attractive gray bark. This tree can be ornamental in the home landscape year round.

Not all Red Maples are the same however. Seedlings rarely have the brilliant fall color as bred cultivars and there are differences between cultivars. 'Autumn Blaze' is one popular cultivar (actually a cross, A. X freemanii) with an orange-red fall color. It is considered more drought tolerant than other cultivars. 'Autumn Glory' has exceptional red fall color. 'October Glory' has brilliant orange to red fall color but sometimes may be impaired by early freezes. This year we had an early freeze in Wilson and I have not noticed any detrimental affects with fall color on the plant located here at the Ag. Center. Fall color also seems to last well into mid- to late November. 'Red Sunset' has excellent orange to red fall color and colors before 'October Glory'. The number of Red Maple cultivars is endless but research the one best for your site and see a colored photograph of it's fall color before purchasing if that is an important characteristic for you.

Red Maples can be planted bare root, container or balled and burlapped as a large tree. They are tolerant of most soil conditions but favor acid, moist conditions.

When working towards my Master's degree at Auburn University I was active in a shade tree research project. That data showed that Red Maples typically grow 1.9 feet per year over the 11-year research project. 'Red Sunset' had an average of 1.6 feet per year.

Leaf hoppers can cause damage and also borers but the most prevalent pest I see is scale. Scales can be hard to diagnose since they are blackish bumps on the stems and trunks, which many people confuse with the natural look of the bark. Remember that maples have a gray bark and when these black bumps are rubbed they can smear or be liquid-like.

The Wilson Display Garden, at 1806 S. Goldsboro Street and is open from dawn until dusk. Notice our garden expansion. A bird garden will be planted this fall and winter. Come visit the garden! Gardening questions can be answered until November 19 by calling the Wilson County Master Gardeners from 1 until 3 PM at 237-0113.

Date Created: 7/11/03.