Acer x freemanii ‘Jeffersred’ Autumn Blaze Maple is a brilliant moderate to large sized tree that can adapt to a range of growing conditions. Superior orange-red autumn foliage. Fast growing and long lived narrow domed tree.
Origin
Cultivar selected by the late Glenn Jeffers of Jeffers Nursery in North Central Ohio (1980). A hybrid between A. rubrum and A. saccharinum.
Habit
Medium to large sized deciduous tree. Dense, ascending branches forms a narrow-domed canopy. Moderate to fast growth rate, mature size ranges between 15-20m high x 10-12m wide.
Description
Leaves simple, deeply palmately lobed (5-lobed), smaller but resembling the Silver Maple leaves that are rich and medium green in colour. Foliage turns brilliant orange-red in autumn. Bark grey, smooth and becoming furrowed with age.
Tolerances
Vigorous, fast-growing tree that adapts to most soils, including clays, and climates. Can tolerate periodic waterlogging as well as extended dry periods. Tree can tolerate low oxygen urban soils and frost. Good radiant heat tolerance. Not seriously affected by pest or disease.
Root space
Based on mature size, the tree would require approximately 113m2 area or 68m3 root volume (crown projection method).
Availability
Common; bare-root, container and advanced stock.
Uses & management
Urban landscapes, parks and streets. Long-lived, moderate to large sized tree with ornamental characteristics and good tolerances. Easy to transplant. Prefers full sun position. Low litter problem; virtually seedless. The lateral limbs can try to out-compete the leader, so formative pruning to a central leader is important.
Featured Tree© Tree Logic Pty Ltd 2011
Ref: van Gelderen, D. M., de Jong, P. C., & Otterdoom, H. J. (1994) Maples of the world. Florilegium.
Poplar Farms 2010 . The Society of Municipal Arborists is proud to present The 2004 Urban Tree of the Year Autumn Blaze Maple.
Available at: Poplar Farms
April 12, 2011
Featured tree, Video