Autumn Blaze® Red Maple

Acer x freemanii ‘Jeffersred’

Description

Imagine eye-catching, reliable red fall color that’s second to none – with our Autumn Blaze® Red Maple, you’ll get amazing hues and more. And thanks to its fast growth, with gains of 3 to 5 feet per year or more, that dazzling fall show is just a click away. What else makes the Autumn Blaze® a must-have? It boasts insect and disease resistance in a uniform silhouette – with minimal mess after its leaves drop in the fall. The Autumn Blaze® is truly one-of-a-kind.

It’s no wonder why the Autumn Blaze® Red Maple is one of the most popular new tree introductions in history. Best of all, you can plant it and forget it. Because of its hassle-free maintenance, it thrives without much fuss. And these trees aren’t bothered by car exhaust, so they’re perfect for planting along neighborhood streets. Even better, they adapt to a large range of soil conditions and climates.

Planting

Allow lots of room for your Autumn Blaze® Maple to grow. Also, select a location with full sun (6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day) and well-drained soil. When you’re ready to plant, dig a hole that’s twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball. Place the Autumn Blaze® Maple inside, holding it straight, and cover with soil. Tamp down as you fill to avoid any air pockets from forming, and water the planting site and cover with mulch to conserve soil moisture.

Watering

Rainwater should be enough but in times of drought, or heat, you may want to add a little extra watering to your usual routine. If you’re not sure when to water, simply check the soil about 2 inches down – if the soil is dry at this depth, it’s time to water.

Fertilizing

Autumn Blaze® Maples typically do best when nitrogen levels are high; therefore, look for fertilizer bags that have high first numbers, such as 16-4-8 or 12-4-8 formula combinations.

Pruning

Thin out young plants to 3 to 4 main branches. After blooming in spring, clip the tips of the branches. Make the cut just above the point where a pair of leaves attaches to the stem. Sterilize your cutting tools with rubbing alcohol to ensure a clean cut.