Leaves opposite, simple, 5-10(13) cm long and wide, usually with 3 serrated lobes, but sometimes 5, base rounded or subcordate, medium to dark green above, silvery below and usually pubescent on veins. Bark is smooth, light gray on young trees, developing to dark gray, rough, and furrowed on older trees. Wide angles between the trunk and the branches add strength to the overall structure of the tree, and they are less likely to break.Broadleaf deciduous tree, 60-75(100) ft, develops ascending branches, irregular, ovoid or rounded crown. If in doubt, remove branches with narrow angles that appear to be trying to grow straight up. If you buy your red maple tree from a good nursery, you probably won’t need to prune it after you plant. The leaves are naturally light green in color, so you can’t depend on them to tell you when you need to fertilize. When you do fertilize, apply a general purpose fertilizer in early spring. Red maples probably don’t need fertilization every year. A 2- to 3-inch (5-8 cm.) layer of organic mulch helps the soil hold moisture longer. Slow, deep watering is better than frequent light applications because it encourages deeper roots. Water red maples before the soil has a chance to dry. Alkaline soil leads to pale, sickly leaves and poor growth. If the site isn’t naturally moist or wet, the tree will need frequent irrigation throughout its life.
#Red maple acer rubrum full
Red Maple Tree Care and PlantingĬhoose a wet site located in full sun or partial shade. Grafting creates weak points in red maples and makes them more susceptible to breaking. You should also make sure you purchase a tree grown on its own roots rather than a grafted tree. One way to make sure you get the color you want is to buy in fall from a local nursery.įall is an excellent time to plant, and you can see the color of the foliage before you buy. Some turn brilliant yellow or orange, and although they are striking, they are a disappointment if you were expecting red. First of all, not all red maples have red fall foliage.
These injuries provide entry points for diseases and insects.īuying a red maple sapling isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. In addition, the thin bark can sustain damage from string trimmers and flying debris from lawn mowers. Exposed roots are easily injured if you run over them with a lawn mower.
Although they aren’t as destructive and invasive as those of silver maple trees, they can raise sidewalks and make lawn maintenance a difficult chore. They have thick, strong roots that grow near or above the surface of the soil. For small urban lots, consider growing smaller cultivars, such as ‘Schlesingeri,’ which rarely exceeds 25 feet (8 m.) in height.īefore you plant, you should know that there are a couple of problems associated with growing red maple trees. Red maples tend to be shorter in the southernmost part of their growing range, which is USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. They grow 40 to 70 feet (12-21 m.) tall with a spread of 30 to 50 feet (9-15 m.). Red maple trees vary in size depending on the location and the cultivar.
#Red maple acer rubrum how to
Read on to find out how to grow a red maple tree. New twigs and leaf stems are also red, and after the flowers fade, reddish-colored fruit takes their place. Red flower buds form in winter, opening into showy red flowers before the tree leafs out. A red maple tree ( Acer rubrum) gets its common name from its brilliant red foliage that becomes the focal point of the landscape in autumn, but red colors play a large part in the tree’s ornamental display in other seasons as well.
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