The ‘Autumn Blaze’ maple (Acer x freemanii ‘Autumn Blaze’) is a hybrid of the red maple (Acer rubrum) and the silver maple (Acer saccharinum). This tree brings together the best characteristics of both parent species. It was first developed in the 1960s by Glenn Jeffers, a horticulturist with the United States Department of Agriculture, in an effort to create a tree that would grow quickly and display brilliant fall color.
This tree is a favorite in landscapes across North America. It is a fast grower, usually adding two feet to its height each year, quickly transforming into a majestic specimen. Despite its fast growth, the tree maintains a strong and sturdy structure, with a symmetrical, oval to rounded crown. It usually reach a mature height of 40 to 50 feet with a spread of 30 to 40 feet.
In the spring and summer, the leaves are a medium to dark green, providing a lovely contrast to the surrounding landscape. As the temperatures begin to drop and autumn arrives, the leaves transform into a brilliant blend of orange and red hues. Unlike many other maples, this hybrid maintains its hue for an extended period.
The ‘Autumn Blaze’ maple is relatively low-maintenance. It thrives in a variety of soil types, from acidic to slightly alkaline, and can tolerate both wet and dry conditions, though it prefers well-drained soil. It is hardy in USDA zones 3-8, making it suitable for a wide range of climates. The tree does best in full sun, where it can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day especially in its first year of establishment.
The ‘Autumn Blaze’ maple is also resistant to many of the pests and diseases that commonly affect other maple species. While it may occasionally face issues such as leaf scorch or tar spot, these are typically minor and easily managed with proper care. Pruning is generally minimal, primarily needed to remove any dead or damaged branches and to maintain its desired shape.
While an Autumn Blaze Maple can potentially live for 80 years or more under ideal conditions, its actual lifespan often falls short of this. It is well suited to line streets in suburban and residential areas, although its shallow roots can buckle sidewalks and driveways and make it difficult to mow surrounding lawns. It is grown for shade on lawns, beside decks and lawns, on buffer strips and beside residential streets.
October Glory Maple vs. Autumn Blaze Maple
- ”October Glory” (Acer rubrum “October Glory), a cultivar of the red maple (Acer rubrum), and the hybrid “Autumn Blaze” (Acer x freemanii “Jeffersred”) both show spectacular red foliage.
- “October Glory” will grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9, “Autumn Blaze” is limited to slightly colder USDA zones 3 through 8.
- “October Glory” has a rounded to oval crown and grows from 40 to 50 feet with a 23- to 35-foot spread. “Autumn Blaze” grows rapidly — from 3 to 5 feet a year — significantly faster than most red maples. It grows to 40 to 45 feet tall and 30 to 40 feet wide.
- “October Glory” has attractive red flowers in the spring before its glossy, dark green leaves appear. The leaves, which have red stems, are 3 to 6 inches across with three to five lobes. “Autumn Blaze” has insignificant flowers. Its medium green leaves have five lobes, deep red veins and red stems but at 3 to 4 inches wide, they are smaller than “October Glory’s” leaves.