Overview

Introduce a spectacular display of fall color and rapid shade growth to your outdoor space with the autumn blaze maple live plant. This highly sought-after hybrid tree, scientifically known as Acer x freemanii ‘Jeffersred’, is a cross between the Red Maple (Acer rubrum) and the Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum). It inherits the best characteristics of both parents: the vibrant, long-lasting red-orange fall foliage from the Red Maple and the vigorous growth rate and adaptability of the Silver Maple. Perfect for homeowners seeking a low-maintenance, high-impact addition to their garden, this fast growing maple tree quickly establishes itself, providing lush green leaves through spring and summer before its breathtaking autumn transformation. It’s an excellent choice for a prominent landscape feature or for creating a natural canopy.

The Autumn Blaze Maple stands out not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its robust nature. It’s celebrated for its strong branch structure, which makes it more resistant to storm damage compared to other fast-growing maples. Whether you’re looking to enhance curb appeal, create a shaded retreat, or add a dramatic focal point, the autumn blaze maple live plant delivers on all fronts. This deciduous tree will shed its leaves in winter and sprout new ones in spring, offering a dynamic visual interest throughout the seasons.

Key Benefits

Choosing an autumn blaze maple live plant for your landscape offers a multitude of advantages, making it a popular and rewarding investment for any garden enthusiast. Its exceptional qualities contribute to both the beauty and functionality of your outdoor environment.

• Stunning Fall Foliage: Experience an unparalleled autumn spectacle with brilliant, fiery red-orange leaves that hold their color for an extended period, creating a dramatic focal point in your yard.
• Rapid Growth Rate: As a fast growing maple tree, it quickly establishes and matures, providing substantial shade and visual impact in a shorter timeframe compared to many other shade trees.
• Strong Structural Integrity: This hybrid boasts a superior branch structure inherited from its parent species, offering better resistance to wind and ice damage, ensuring a long-lived and resilient tree.
• Adaptable & Resilient: The autumn blaze maple care is relatively easy, as it tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, from clay to sandy, and is adaptable to various climates, making it suitable for many regions.
• Excellent Shade Provider: Its dense canopy offers significant shade, reducing cooling costs for your home and providing a comfortable outdoor living space during hot summer months.
• Year-Round Appeal: From vibrant green foliage in spring and summer to spectacular fall colors and an attractive winter silhouette, this tree provides continuous visual interest.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, the red maple hybrid requires minimal care, making it an ideal choice for busy homeowners who desire a beautiful yet easy-to-manage landscape.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your autumn blaze maple live plant is straightforward, ensuring it thrives and delivers its full potential of beauty and shade. Proper planting and consistent care in the initial years will set the foundation for a healthy, robust tree. This shade tree for garden prefers full sun exposure, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, to achieve its most vibrant fall colors and maintain vigorous growth.

When it comes to watering, young Autumn Blaze Maples require consistent moisture, especially during dry spells. Water deeply and regularly, about once or twice a week, to encourage deep root development. Once established, they become more drought-tolerant but will still benefit from occasional deep watering during extended dry periods. The ideal soil for an autumn blaze maple live plant is well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.0-7.0), and rich in organic matter. While adaptable, avoiding extremely wet or poorly drained sites is crucial to prevent root rot. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release tree fertilizer, following package directions. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring while the tree is dormant to remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches, helping to maintain its strong structure and upright form. Pay attention to the specific needs for optimal autumn blaze maple care.

The Autumn Blaze Maple is a remarkably hardy tree, generally thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8. It can withstand cold winters and hot summers, making it a versatile choice for many regions. While generally resistant to many common pests and diseases, monitoring for issues like leaf spot or aphids and addressing them promptly will ensure the tree remains healthy. Providing adequate space for its mature size is also important, as overcrowding can lead to stress and reduced air circulation. With these basic care guidelines, your fast growing maple tree will flourish and provide decades of enjoyment.

Size & Details

This autumn blaze maple live plant is shipped in a quart-sized nursery pot, providing a healthy start for your new tree. At the time of shipping, the plant typically ranges from 12 to 24 inches in height, with a well-developed root system ready for transplanting. This allows for easy handling and successful establishment in your chosen location. The Autumn Blaze Maple is known for its impressive growth rate, often adding 2 to 3 feet in height per year under ideal conditions, making it a true fast growing maple tree. Expect this tree to reach a mature height of 40 to 50 feet with a spread of 30 to 40 feet, forming a broad, oval canopy that provides substantial shade.

The tree’s strong, upright growth habit makes it an excellent specimen tree or a striking addition to a large landscape. Its deciduous nature means it will lose its leaves in the colder months, entering a dormant period, which is a natural part of its life cycle. New foliage will emerge in spring, transitioning from vibrant green to the iconic red-orange hues in fall. This particular red maple hybrid is cultivated for its consistent color and reliable performance. When planting, ensure you provide ample space for its mature size, considering its ultimate height and spread to avoid future overcrowding. The plant will arrive carefully packaged to ensure its health and vitality upon arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does the autumn blaze maple live plant get? A: The Autumn Blaze Maple is a large shade tree that typically reaches a mature height of 40 to 50 feet with a spread of 30 to 40 feet. Its rapid growth rate means it will provide significant shade relatively quickly.
• Q: What is the best time to plant an autumn blaze maple live plant? A: The best time to plant an Autumn Blaze Maple is in spring or early fall. This allows the tree sufficient time to establish its root system before the extreme temperatures of summer or winter.
• Q: How much sunlight does this shade tree for garden need? A: The Autumn Blaze Maple thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Adequate sunlight is essential for vigorous growth and the development of its brilliant fall colors.
• Q: Is the autumn blaze maple live plant drought tolerant? A: While young Autumn Blaze Maples need consistent watering, established trees are moderately drought-tolerant. However, they will perform best with regular deep watering, especially during extended dry periods.
• Q: What kind of soil does an autumn blaze maple live plant prefer? A: This tree prefers well-draining soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. It can tolerate a range of soil types, including clay and sandy soils, but good drainage is key to preventing root issues.
• Q: Is this a fast growing maple tree? A: Yes, the Autumn Blaze Maple is renowned for its fast growth rate, often growing 2 to 3 feet per year under optimal conditions. This makes it a popular choice for quick landscape impact.
• Q: What USDA Hardiness Zones is the Autumn Blaze Maple suitable for? A: The Autumn Blaze Maple is a hardy tree, suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8, making it adaptable to a wide range of climates across the United States.
• Q: What color are the leaves in the fall for this red maple hybrid? A: The Autumn Blaze Maple is celebrated for its spectacular fall foliage, which transforms into brilliant shades of red and orange, providing a stunning display for several weeks.
• Q: Will the autumn blaze maple live plant arrive with leaves? A: Depending on the season, your plant may arrive with full foliage, dormant with few or no leaves, or in a bareroot state. This is normal for deciduous trees and does not indicate the plant is unhealthy.
• Q: How much space does an Autumn Blaze Maple need? A: Due to its mature size, it’s recommended to plant an Autumn Blaze Maple at least 20-30 feet away from structures, power lines, and other large trees to allow for its full growth and spread.