Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze

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Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze

About Your New Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze

Acer × freemanii 'Jeffersred', sold as Autumn Blaze, is a fast growing deciduous hybrid maple with a strong central leader, an upright oval crown and clean lobed foliage. Its reputation rests on autumn colour, when the whole canopy turns an even red orange, holding that colour for several weeks before leaf fall.

It wants full sun and deep soil with reliable moisture, and it grows well on clay provided drainage is adequate. Growth is fast at 1 to 1.5 metres a year while young. The tree is fully frost hardy and suits cool and temperate districts, though it needs summer water in hot inland positions.

This is a tree for avenues, streetscapes, large gardens, parks and civic open space, planted where reliable autumn colour and a uniform canopy shape matter. Nurseries and councils favour it because trees come true to form and colour up consistently even in warmer zones. Allow 8 to 10 metres between trees for full canopy.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Autumn Blaze Maple

What is Autumn Blaze Maple?

Autumn Blaze is a named cultivar of Acer × freemanii, a hybrid between the American Red Maple and Silver Maple. It combines the strong branch structure and brilliant autumn colour of Red Maple with the vigour and adaptability of Silver Maple. It is a deciduous shade and avenue tree, propagated vegetatively so every tree performs alike.

How big does Autumn Blaze Maple grow?

At maturity it reaches 12 to 20 metres tall and 9 to 12 metres wide, forming a broad upright oval crown. It is a large tree and needs to be sited accordingly, well clear of buildings, overhead services and small courtyards. Given room and good soil it reaches usable canopy size within about eight years.

How fast does it grow?

Growth is fast, around 1 to 1.5 metres a year while the tree is young and well watered, which is why it is chosen for projects that need canopy quickly. Growth slows as the crown matures. The speed comes with softer wood than a slow grown maple, so early formative pruning is worth the effort.

Is it evergreen or deciduous?

It is deciduous. The tree drops its leaves through the colder months and leafs out again in spring, which lets winter sun through to buildings and paving beneath it. That seasonal cycle is part of its value in streetscapes and around houses, giving summer shade and winter light from the same tree.

When does it colour up?

Autumn colour comes through in autumn, generally April into May in southern Australia, with the timing shifting a few weeks depending on the district and the season. The turn is quick and remarkably even across the whole crown, moving from green to red orange. Cool nights ahead of leaf fall produce the strongest colour.

Does it have invasive roots?

The root system is vigorous and largely shallow, inherited from its Silver Maple parent, so it should not be planted close to paving, drains or building footings. Given 3 to 4 metres of clearance from hard surfaces and a decent soil volume it causes no trouble. Deep, infrequent watering encourages roots down rather than out.

How do I care for Autumn Blaze Maple?

Water deeply through the first three summers, particularly in hot inland districts, and mulch widely to keep the root zone cool. Formative prune in the first few years to hold a single leader and remove narrow, tight forks before they become weak limbs. Stake young trees in exposed sites and remove ties after two seasons.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

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Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Avenue Planting
Screening or Privacy
Shade Tree
Street Tree
Feature Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes

Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze works in an:

Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.

Is Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze Evergreen or Deciduous?

Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 12m to 20m

Mature Width: 9m to 12m

Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze is expected to grow 1m to 1.5m per year (fast-growing).

Growth Rate of Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze

Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze is expected to grow 1m to 1.5m per year (fast-growing).

They are considered to have a:

Fast Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze

Is Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze frost tolerant?

Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze Flower?

Acer × freemanii ‘Jeffersred’ produces small, inconspicuous red spring flowers that sit close to the stems. While subtle, they signal the start of its vigorous new growth and seasonal cycle.

Does Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Winter
Spring

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Red

Is Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze an Australian Native Tree?

No

Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze is Native to A hybrid between Acer rubrum (Red Maple, native to eastern North America) and Acer saccharinum (Silver Maple, also native to eastern North America). Bred in the United States as a superior ornamental maple.

What is the Wildlife Value of Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze ?

Its broad canopy offers excellent shade and shelter for small birds, while its early-season flowers provide nectar and pollen for native bees and beneficial insects emerging in spring.

How much Sunlight does Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze need?

Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Acer × freemanii ‘Jeffersred’ performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It can struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained ground unless improved with organic matter to enhance structure and aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures for optimal growth and colour.

Is Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze Drought Tolerant?

Is Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it benefits from consistent watering, but once established Acer ‘Autumn Blaze’ shows moderate drought tolerance. It copes well with short dry periods, though it performs best with occasional deep watering during extended heat.

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How To Plant Your Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze is expected to grow 1m to 1.5m per year (fast-growing).

Fast Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze in Different Soil

Acer x performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Autumn Blaze Maple stand out? Its unparalleled fiery-red fall foliage offers a striking garden display.
How fast does it grow? This tree is known for its fast growth rate.
Can it tolerate urban conditions? Yes, it's particularly resilient to urban pollution, making it suitable for city plantings.