$22.95
autumnblaze
Add a fast-growing shade tree with show-stopping color to your landscape with the Autumn Blaze® Maple (Acer rubrum x freemanii). Prized for its rapid growth, strong branching structure, and fiery fall display, this hybrid maple is one of the most popular shade trees for home landscapes, streetscapes, and larger properties.
Its dense, well-shaped canopy provides excellent shade throughout the growing season, while the foliage turns a brilliant orange-red each autumn that's hard to miss from a distance. Whether planted as a single specimen, a shade tree near the home, or in a row along a driveway or property line, the Autumn Blaze Maple delivers reliable performance and dramatic seasonal beauty.
Few shade trees combine speed and beauty the way the Autumn Blaze Maple does. Bred from Red Maple and Silver Maple parentage, it inherits the best traits of both: the strong wood and brilliant color of the Red Maple, paired with the rapid growth of the Silver Maple, without the weaker wood the Silver Maple is known for.
As the growing season winds down, the foliage transforms into a brilliant blend of orange and red, often turning weeks earlier than other maple varieties. Even in summer, its dense, symmetrical canopy adds structure and shade to any landscape.
The Autumn Blaze Maple is a versatile shade tree that fits a wide range of landscape needs. Plant it as a specimen tree in an open lawn, use it to line a driveway or street, or space several together to create a natural privacy screen or windbreak as they mature.
Because your tree arrives in a 1-gallon trade pot, it is easy to handle and plant while it establishes its root system. Give your young maple plenty of open space to grow into its full mature size and enjoy watching it develop into a dominant shade tree over the years.
Keep the soil consistently moist while your tree is becoming established. Pay particular attention to watering while the tree is still in its 1-gallon container, as smaller containers can dry out more quickly during hot or windy weather.
After planting, water deeply and regularly until the root system becomes established. During periods of hot or dry weather, check the soil regularly and provide additional water when needed. A layer of mulch around the root zone can help conserve moisture and moderate soil temperatures.
Autumn Blaze Maples perform best in full sun, which encourages the strongest branching structure and the most vibrant fall color. They will tolerate light shade, but full sun exposure is recommended for optimal growth and color development.
Plant your maple in fertile, well-draining soil. Autumn Blaze Maples are adaptable to a wide range of soil types, including clay, and tolerate occasional wet conditions better than many other maple varieties.
Autumn Blaze Maples generally do not require heavy fertilization. Once established, if additional nutrients are needed, use a balanced fertilizer formulated for trees and shrubs and follow the manufacturer's application instructions.
Allow your young maple to establish before doing significant pruning. Once established, prune during dormancy to remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches and to maintain a strong central leader and well-spaced branch structure as the tree matures.
| Common Name | Autumn Blaze® Maple |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Acer rubrum x freemanii |
| Plant Type | Deciduous Shade Tree |
| Container Size | 1-Gallon Trade Pot |
| Sunlight | Full Sun |
| Soil | Adaptable; Well-Drained to Occasionally Wet |
| Foliage Color | Green (Summer); Orange-Red (Fall) |
| Landscape Use | Shade Tree, Street Tree, Specimen, Windbreak & Privacy Row |
How fast does an Autumn Blaze Maple grow?
Autumn Blaze Maples are known as one of the fastest-growing shade trees, often adding 3 feet or more of growth per year once established in the landscape.
Does an Autumn Blaze Maple need full sun?
Full sun is recommended for the best growth rate, structure, and fall color. The tree will tolerate some light shade, but color and density may be reduced.
Where should I plant my Autumn Blaze Maple?
Choose an open area with well-drained soil and enough space for its broad, mature canopy. Autumn Blaze Maples work well as shade trees in lawns, along driveways and streets, or spaced out to form a privacy row.
How often should I water my Autumn Blaze Maple?
While your tree is in its 1-gallon trade pot, check the soil regularly and water thoroughly when the soil begins to dry. Containers can dry out quickly during hot or windy weather. After planting, continue watering regularly until the tree becomes established.
How big will my 1-gallon Autumn Blaze Maple be when it arrives?
Your Autumn Blaze Maple is shipped as a young tree in a 1-gallon trade pot. Because plants are living products, actual height, branching, and overall shape can naturally vary depending on the season and growing conditions.
When is the best time to plant my Autumn Blaze Maple?
Autumn Blaze Maples can generally be planted when weather and soil conditions are suitable. Mild weather is ideal for reducing transplant stress. Avoid planting when the ground is frozen or during periods of extreme heat, and provide consistent moisture after planting.
Does an Autumn Blaze Maple need to be pruned?
Light pruning during dormancy can help maintain a strong central leader and well-spaced branches as the tree matures. Avoid heavy pruning while your young tree is becoming established.
Can I keep my Autumn Blaze Maple in its 1-gallon pot?
The 1-gallon trade pot is intended primarily for growing and shipping the young tree rather than as a permanent container. For the best long-term growth, we recommend planting your maple in the landscape as soon as conditions allow, since it is a large shade tree at maturity.
How much space does an Autumn Blaze Maple need?
As a large shade tree at maturity, the Autumn Blaze Maple should be planted with plenty of open space away from structures, foundations, and overhead power lines to allow its canopy and root system to develop fully.
Whether you're planting a new shade tree, lining a driveway, or adding brilliant seasonal color to an established landscape, the Autumn Blaze Maple delivers rapid growth, dependable structure, and one of the best fall color displays of any shade tree.
Plant an Autumn Blaze® Maple today and watch your young tree grow into a towering shade tree for years to come.
