A Grower Perspective

In honor of the arrival of fall, we have a shade tree celebrated for its vivid color this time of year. As the love child of ‘October Glory’ and ‘Red Sunset’, ‘Autumn Radiance’ boasts the best qualities of its parents with vivid, red foliage two weeks before other red maples.

Maples are a very diverse and varied group of trees. The seed capsules are the common element that ties this diverse set of trees together. As a child I remember twirling the seed capsules and watching them spin towards the ground, thinking that they resembled helicopters. Red maples, specifically, are native to North America, growing well in all types of soil. As a quick grower, this large tree will quickly assert its dominance in the landscape, eventually reaching a height of 30 to 60 feet. Its form is open and balanced and can spread 40 feet across. Consider the space requirements when planting a tree of this magnitude. To establish this tree in the landscape, periodically water it very deeply to encourage the roots to grow deep. This tree does not require regular pruning. The only maintenance to consider is the leaves that will pile up after they are through wowing you with their autumnal beauty.