Red Maple Tree – Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset’
Red Maple is considered one of the best trees for early fall color. This is a large deciduous tree that has pyramidal form when young, becoming more rounded with age. Glossy green leaves turn an extremely showy, brilliant orange-scarlet. Grows best in full sun, and faster than Norway or sugar maples – but slower than silver maple (a crappy tree, in my humble opinion).
The Red Sunset’s leaves are shiny green above and pale green beneath, 3-5 lobed and 3-6″ across. Species name of rubrum (meaning red) is everywhere in evidence: red flowers in dense clusters in late March to early April (before the leaves appear), red two-winged samaras, reddish stems and twigs. The Red Sunset is one of the best red maple cultivars available in commerce.
‘Red Sunset’ has strong wood and is a vigorous, fast-grower, reaching a height of 50 feet with a spread of 25 to 35 feet. Trees are often seen shorter in the southern part of its range unless located on a wet site. This tree is preferred over silver maple or box elder when a fast-growing maple is needed, and will take on a pyramidal or oval silhouette.
Family Aceraceae – Maples
Trees Index | Pine Family
Tree Encyclopedia / North American Insects & Spiders
Online since 2002
