AUTUMN BLAZE® FREEMAN'S MAPLE - ACER x FREEMANII ‘JEFFERSRED’

Autumn Blaze® Freeman's maple form
Autumn Blaze® Freeman's maple foliage

Common Name: Autumn Blaze® Freeman's maple, Freeman maple

Scientific Name: 
Family: Sapindaceae
Genus: Acer
Species: x freemanii ‘Jeffersred’

Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
Height: 40 to 55 ft
Width: 30 to 40 ft

Description: Freeman maples are a cultivar of red maple (A. rubrum) and silver maple (A. saccharinum). Crosses between red and silver maple also occur naturally, so it is difficult to identify any specific cultivar. Autumn Blaze® was discovered in the 1960s by Glenn Jeffers. It is a fast-growing and upright shade tree. Ascending branches create a dense, oval shaped canopy.

The foliage has five lobes with deeply cut sinuses. The color can be described as medium green. The petioles are typically red. In the autumn the foliage turns shades of orange, red, and scarlet, creating an "autumn blaze". This tree has sparse flowers and fruit. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are no substantial diseases or pests. Young trees may get leafhoppers or scales. Crosses between red and silver maple are done to have the best qualities from each tree. Red maple has the showy fall foliage, attractive form, and good structure. Silver maple brings adaptability and fast-growth to the table. 

References:

Accessed online. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c789. 26 July 2019