Autumn Blaze Maple

For stunning fall color, you will be hard pressed to beat the Autumn Blaze Maple. Botanically called Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' 'Autumn Blaze', this maple tree will set your garden ablaze when its foliage turns from green to orange-red in the fall. This impressive tree reaches a mature height of around 50 to 60 feet. 

Even though the autumn leaf color is the star of the show, the Autumn Blaze Maple also develops a smooth gray bark that provides interest over the winter. It is fast growing, cold hardy, and ideal for providing shade. Furthermore, it is considered low maintenance and can tolerate periods of drought. Autumn Blaze is a perfect maple for fall color.

Autumn Blaze Maple Care

Due to its final height of 50 to 60 feet, this tree should be sited away from overhead obstructions. Even though it is drought tolerant once established, frequent watering is required after planting and while it is young. It prefers a slightly acidic soil that is well drained and fertile; it rarely needs fertilizing unless the soil is poor. The Autumn Blaze Maple performs best in full sun to partial shade. 

Minimal pruning is needed and is generally only required every few years during dormancy; remove dead, diseased and damaged wood at any time. Plant Autumn Blaze away from structures, such as houses and sheds, as branch unions can break in high winds leading to damage.

Autumn Blaze Maple Spacing

When fully grown, the Autumn Blaze Maple can reach 50 to 60 feet tall and 30 to 40 feet wide. A spacing of 40 feet is required for a standalone specimen or closer when planting multiple trees.