Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' – Freeman maple 'Autumn Blaze'®

Admire the splendor of the 'Autumn Blaze' Freeman Maple (Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred'), a renowned hybrid resulting from the cross between the Red Maple and the Silver Maple. This deciduous tree stands out with its fast growth, sturdy structure, and the incredible transformation of its foliage into an orange-red to scarlet blaze in autumn. It's the quintessential choice for creating a vibrant and lasting focal point in your landscape design.

Characteristics

• Foliage : Leaves are medium green during summer, deeply cut with five pointed lobes. They offer a striking spectacle in autumn, transforming into illuminated shades of orange-red and crimson, like a true fireworks display.
• Bloom : This hybrid's bloom is very discreet, with reddish-green flowers appearing in spring. Fruit or seed production is very rare and sparse, which limits maintenance related to samaras.
• Light : Thrives in full sun and tolerates partial shade. To achieve the most vibrant autumn colours and optimal growth, at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day is recommended.
• Habit : Its habit is upright, with ascending branches and a dense, broad-oval to pyramidal crown at maturity. It maintains a sturdy and attractive structure.
• Growth : It's a fast-growing tree, capable of quickly reaching a height of 12 to 17 meters (40 to 55 feet) and a spread of 9 to 12 meters (30 to 40 feet). It's known for its longevity of several decades.
• Humidity : Adapts to average to moist soil conditions. It prefers cool, moist soil with good drainage. Once established, it shows good drought tolerance and also tolerates temporarily wet soils (without being flooded).
• Soil : Easy to grow in average, well-drained soils. It's not very demanding about soil type or pH, but prefers acidic soils. Amending the soil with organic matter can improve its performance.
• Temperature : Extremely hardy. It's perfectly resistant to cold winters.
• Watering : Requires average to regular watering. Once well-established, it tolerates dry periods, making it an excellent choice for various uses.

Uses

• Types of Use : Ideal as a shade tree for lawns, a street tree due to its tolerance to urban pollution, an accent tree, or as a structural element. It's also a good choice for rain gardens due to its tolerance to wet soils.
• Decorative Advantages : Its medium green foliage in summer provides an excellent backdrop, but its autumn transformation into a festival of orange-red and scarlet colours is its major attraction. It creates a spectacular focal point that illuminates the landscape for weeks.

Care

• Fertilization : For optimal growth, an annual application of controlled-release fertilizer at planting time or a regular application of water-soluble fertilizer can be beneficial.
• Pruning : Maintenance is low. Occasional pruning may be necessary to maintain its shape and remove dead or damaged branches. The best time to prune is in late winter, once the threat of extreme cold has passed.
• Planting :
  • Distance : When planting, allow a spacing of approximately 9 to 12 metres (30 to 40 feet) to allow the tree to reach its full mature width without being crowded.
  • Depth : Plant the root ball at the same depth as the original soil level.
  • Period : Fall is the ideal time for planting, but spring is also possible.