Acer rubrum ‘Sun Valley’ – Sun Valley Maple

Botanical Name: Acer rubrum ‘Sun Valley’

Alternate Name: Sun Valley Red Maple

The Sun Valley Maple (Acer rubrum ‘Sun Valley’) is a cross between Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset’ and Acer rubrum ‘Autumn Flame’. It is a male variety, with no seed production. This medium sized deciduous maple grows to 40 feet tall and 35 feet wide. Its canopy starts approximately 6 feet above the ground. This tree is too tall to be planted under power lines.

Sun Valley Maple has a symmetrical, rounded-oval crown, making it suitable for planting as a shade tree. It is also known for its long-lasting, vibrant, red fall color.

This maple develops showy red flower clusters before the leaves emerge in early spring.  The medium green leaves which follow are relatively large – 4 inches in size. These create a coarse texture for landscaping use, which contrasts well with fine-textured conifers or Japanese Maples.

The Sun Valley Maple gives its best show in late fall, when some trees are already losing their leaves. It provides a show-stopping, bright red-crimson display.

Acer ‘Sun Valley’ will tolerate many different soil types. It prefers acidic, wet, or moist, well-drained soils. It also resists drought and urban pollution – making this tree ideal for urban landscapes. It is also somewhat tolerant to the potato leafhopper.

Description

Height: 40 ft.
Width: 35 ft.
Shape: Rounded/Oval
Flower Color: Red
Flowering Time: March
Fall Color: Bright Red
Features: Dramatic fall color
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Sun
Watering: Moderate/Heavy & Regular
Soil: Prefers acidic, moist but well-drained soil. Can tolerate a wide range of soil types. May develop chlorosis of the leaves if the soil is too alkaline.
Growth Rate: Moderate
USDA Zones: 4-7
Uses: Specimen tree, shade tree, street tree, lawn tree, highway plantings, park tree, rain garden, wet sites
Similar Trees: October Glory® Maple (Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’), Burgundy Belle® Maple (Acer rubrum ‘Magnificent Magenta’), Red Sunset® Maple (Acer rubrum ‘Franksred’)

Additional information

Shape

Oval, Rounded

Flower Color

Red

Flowering Time

March

Fall Color

Bright Red

Growth Rate

Moderate

Uses

Highway Planting, Lawn Tree, Park Tree, Rain Gardens, Shade Tree, Specimen Tree, Street Tree, Wet Areas

USDA Zones

4, 5, 6, 7

Mature Height

30'-40'

Mature Width

30'-40'

Exposure

Full Sun, Partial Sun

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