Red Sunset® Red Maple Tree

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

40 - 50 Feet

Mature Spread

30 - 40 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 8

Red Sunset® Red Maple, Acer Rubrum Red Sunset®, or ‘Franks Red’, is a quick-growing shade tree with bright green summer foliage that stuns in the fall with brilliant crimson color. These elegant trees grow relatively quickly, reaching heights of 40 to 50 feet and maintaining their pyramidal forms. A favorite of landscapers, these classic, statement maples thrive in any landscape. They produce small clusters of white flowers in the spring, and beady red fruits in the summer. Their bark is smooth and gray and deepens in color as the tree matures. 

The Red Sunset® Red Maple has great branching systems and is known for its stunning fall color. Native to North America, this deciduous tree should be guarded from deer, rabbits and other critters. Tree guard fabric is a good option, especially for young trees where the bark is thinner. 

Red Sunset® Red Maple Tree Care

You should plant your Red Sunset® in the late fall or early spring. It can thrive in a variety of soil types, but prefers moist, acidic soils. It is salt sensitive. You plant it at the same depth as it is growing in it’s container or burlap. Your maple will thrive most in full sun, but can tolerate dappled shade. Your Red Sunset® Maple uses above-average water, and you should water it regularly and deeply to establish a thriving root system. Once it’s established, in the spring, water weekly. Before new growth emerges, use a fertilizer meant for acid-loving plants to keep your maple strong and healthy.

Pruning is not required, unless it is to remove damaged or diseased limbs, but in the late-summer or winter months, you can trim back your maple to maintain a smaller size or consistent shape. The Red Sunset® Red Maples are susceptible to scorch that can discolor the leaves. Scorch can be caused by excessive wind or sun exposure, disease, or contaminated soil. Adding a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch will help this beauty retain its needed moisture.

Red Sunset® Red Maple Tree Spacing

Red Sunset® Red Maples look fantastic in any yard, at the end of a long driveway or on streetscapes. It is also recommended for smaller yards, as it will not overwhelm the property, even at its mature height. You should plant your maples at least 12 feet apart to the next tree. Great companion plants for your maple are low-growing spring bulbs like daffodils, heuchera or ferns, or even groundcover plants like tradescantia.