Key Features:
Size & Growth: The Autumn Fantasy Maple typically grows to a height of 40 to 50 feet with a spread of 30 to 40 feet. Its upright, broadly rounded canopy offers ample shade and a commanding presence in the landscape. Known for its fast growth rate, it quickly establishes itself and makes a substantial impact.
Foliage: Features large, lobed leaves that are a rich green throughout the growing season. In the fall, the foliage transforms into a spectacular display of bright red to orange hues, providing a stunning autumnal contrast. The vibrant colors are long-lasting and create a dramatic seasonal spectacle.
Flowers & Fruit: Produces small, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers in early spring, which are followed by winged, reddish samaras (seed pods). While the flowers are not particularly showy, they contribute to the tree’s overall interest and provide food for wildlife.
Growth Habit: Exhibits a strong, upright growth habit with a well-formed, rounded crown. Its sturdy branches and dense canopy make it ideal for providing shade and adding structure to garden beds and larger landscapes.
Disease Resistance: The Autumn Fantasy Maple is generally resistant to common pests and diseases affecting maples, including maple tar spot and verticillium wilt. Its hardy nature makes it suitable for a variety of growing conditions.
Soil & Light Requirements: Prefers well-drained soil and thrives in full sun to partial shade. It is adaptable to a range of soil types, including loamy, sandy, and clay soils. The tree is also tolerant of urban conditions, making it a good choice for city landscapes.
Care Instructions: Requires minimal maintenance once established. Regular watering during dry periods helps keep the tree hydrated. Apply mulch around the base of the tree to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Pruning is typically done to remove any dead or damaged branches and to maintain the tree’s shape.
Uses:
Ornamental: Ideal for adding dramatic color and texture to garden beds, lawns, and park areas. The Autumn Fantasy Maple’s vibrant fall foliage and symmetrical form make it an eye-catching focal point in any landscape.
Shade Tree: Provides substantial shade due to its broad, dense canopy, making it an excellent choice for cooling outdoor spaces and reducing energy costs for nearby buildings.
Specimen Tree: Perfect as a specimen tree in larger gardens or landscapes where its impressive size and stunning fall color can be fully appreciated.
Planting & Maintenance:
Planting: Select a location with well-drained soil and adequate sunlight. Dig a hole that is twice the width of the root ball and plant the tree at the same depth it was growing in the container. Space multiple trees about 30 to 40 feet apart to accommodate their mature spread.
Watering: Water thoroughly after planting and keep the soil consistently moist during the growing season. Ensure good drainage to avoid waterlogging. Mulch around the base of the tree to help retain soil moisture and control weeds.
Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins to remove any dead or damaged branches and to shape the tree if necessary.
Add a touch of brilliance and elegance to your landscape with the Autumn Fantasy Maple. Its vibrant fall colors, rapid growth, and robust structure make it an exceptional choice for creating a stunning visual impact and enhancing the beauty of any landscape.
Autumn Fantasy Maple
Bring vibrant fall color and a striking presence to your landscape with the Autumn Fantasy Maple. This hybrid maple, a cross between the red maple (Acer rubrum) and the silver maple (Acer saccharinum), is celebrated for its exceptional autumn display, rapid growth, and robust structure. Perfect for larger gardens and urban landscapes, the Autumn Fantasy Maple provides year-round beauty and a dynamic focal point.