Acer rubrum ‘Franksred’ (RED SUNSET®) – Red Sunset® Maple

Botanical Name: Acer rubrum ‘Franksred’ (RED SUNSET®)

Alternate Name: Red Sunset® Red Maple

The Red Sunset® Maple (Acer rubrum ‘Franksred’) is one of the best trees to plant in a landscape for early, eye-catching fall color. This deciduous tree starts off growing in a pyramidal shape as a juvenile and eventually develops a beautifully rounded form as it matures. It grows to a height of 40-50 feet with a spread of 30-40 feet, making it a perfect choice for medium and large sized landscapes.

Red Sunset® Maple provides a variety of red colors throughout the spring, summer, and fall. This tree has small clusters of red flowers that cover the branches in early spring. The flowers are followed by red winged samaras in the summer.

The leaves grow in and fill the canopy in spring as the blooms are fading. The first flush of red leaves matures to an attractive, shiny mid-green. The leaves are 2-6 inches in size with 3-5 lobes. In early fall, as the first cold weather arrives, the leaves change to yellow, followed by burnt orange. They finish the season with a fantastic fall show of deep, vibrant red.

The Red Sunset® Maple is tolerant of many different soil types. If it is well-drained, it prefers wet to dry soils. This tree thrives with an acidic pH. Incorporating rich compost into the planting site will help to achieve the preferred pH, as will planting near conifers.

Red Sunset® Maple is a very cold hardy variety. It is sensitive to salt so not recommended for planting sites next to roads or driveways where there is snowfall.

Description

Height: 40-50 ft.
Width: 30-40 ft.
Shape: Pyramidal – developing into a rounded crown as tree matures
Flower Color: Red
Flowering Time: March-April
Fall Color: Yellow, Orange, Red
Features: Spectacular fall color
Exposure: Full Sun
Watering: Moderate/Heavy & Regular
Soil: Prefers acidic, consistently moist but well-drained soil. Can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including wet soil.
Growth Rate: Moderate
USDA Zones: 3-9
Uses: Specimen tree, street tree, shade tree, lawn tree, park tree, rain garden
Similar Trees: Brandywine Maple (Acer rubrum ‘Brandywine’)

Additional information

Shape

Pyramidal, Rounded

Flower Color

Red

Flowering Time

April, March

Fall Color

Orange, Red, Yellow

Growth Rate

Moderate

Uses

Lawn Tree, Park Tree, Rain Gardens, Shade Tree, Specimen Tree, Street Tree

USDA Zones

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Mature Height

40'-50'

Mature Width

30'-40'

Exposure

Full Sun

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