- Mature height
- 12m to 20m
- Mature width
- 9m to 12m
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.