Acer platanoides ‘Crimson Sentry’ – Crimson Sentry Maple

Botanical Name: Acer platanoides ‘Crimson Sentry’

Alternate Name: Crimson Sentry Norway Maple

The Crimson Sentry Maple is a columnar-shaped tree with an upright tidy growth habit that grows up to 25 feet high and 15 feet wide. This Norway Maple has spectacularly deep purple or maroon leaves. It is a great specimen for use in smaller gardens due to its narrow stature, where Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’ Maple is too large. ‘Crimson Sentry’ was cultivated from ‘Crimson King’ in the 1970’s.

The tiny light yellow blooms emerge before the foliage in early spring, in upright sprays along the branches. The new leaves then unfurl bright red in color, and they mature and deepen to a striking rich, deep maroon-purple. This color holds through the summer. Then Crimson Sentry Maple puts on a fall display as its leaves change to bright crimson.

It is a great choice for urban settings, both because of its narrow structure and drought and pollution tolerance. Its narrow spread makes it ideal to line pathways or roadways. It is also extremely wind resistant, making it a tough and hardy tree for city settings. This trait, as well as its tolerance for salt spray, also make it a great choice for coastal landscapes.

Crimson Sentry Maple is a low maintenance tree and should only be pruned when necessary to remove dead branches or neaten up its columnar form.

Description

Height: 25 ft.
Width: 15 ft.
Shape: Columnar
Flower Color: Yellow
Flowering Time: April-May
Fall Color: Maroon / Bronze-Red
Features: Attractive deep red/purple foliage, narrow growing habit
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
Watering: Moderate & Regular
Soil: Moist, well drained soil
Growth Rate: Slow
USDA Zones: 4-9
Uses: Shade tree, foundation tree, focal point tree, vertical accent, smaller gardens, lining driveways, PNW gardens, woodland gardens, wet areas
Similar Trees: Columnar Norway Maple (Acer platanoides ‘Columnare’), Parkway® Maple (Acer platanoides ‘Columnarbroad’), Crimson King Maple (Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’), Emerald Queen Maple (Acer platanoides ‘Emerald Queen’), Royal Red Maple (Acer platanoides ‘Royal Red’)Dawyck Purple Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck Purple’)

Additional information

Shape

Columnar

Flower Color

Yellow

Flowering Time

April, May

Fall Color

Bronze, Maroon, Red

Growth Rate

Slow

Uses

Foundatin Tree, Lining Driveways, PNW Gardens, Shade Tree, Small Gardens, Vertical Accent, Wet Areas, Woodland Gardens

USDA Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Mature Height

20'-30'

Mature Width

10'-15'

Exposure

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Call Now Button