Red maple

Large maple tree with red fall foliage growing in urban yard — Mature red maple in fall

(Acer rubrum) establishes easily and grows quickly. It is highly valued as a landscape tree for its flowers and fall foliage that light up spring and autumn landscapes.

Red maple trees are used as boulevard trees, shade trees, or accent and specimen plants.

The dense canopies of red maples provide shade during late spring, summer and fall.

Red maple is plentiful and common throughout its native range that includes Minnesota.

It thrives across a wide variety of climatic conditions and soil types.

Growing red maple

Branch of red maple tree with green, three-lobed leaves — Summer foliage of red maple

Hardiness zone: 3 to 9
Full sun to partial shade
Soil adaptable - grows in sandy to clay soils
- Average to wet
- Well-drained to poorly-drained
- Tolerates compacted soils
- pH 4.5 to 6.5

Have your soil tested by the U of M Soil Testing Lab.

Yellow-green leaves with dark green leaf veins — Yellowing leaves with green veins are a symptom of manganese deficiency caused by high pH soils

Common problems

At soil pH above 6.5, manganese deficiencies occur that cause chlorotic (yellowish) leaves, stunted growth, and may kill the tree.

Thin-barked trunks of young trees need winter protection with tree guards to prevent frost cracks and sunscald.

Maples are sensitive to salt.

Visit What's wrong with my plant? – Maple for a list of the most common pests and stresses in Minnesota.

Cultivated varieties of red maple for Minnesota

Cultivated varieties have been selected for fall color, plant form and size, and pest and stress tolerances.

Autumn Radiance® - Zone 4, 50 feet tall by 40 feet wide, orange-red foliage in early fall, rounded oval shape
'Autumn Spire' - Zone 3, 50 feet tall by 25 feet wide, red foliage in fall, broadly columnar shape
'Brandywine' - Zone 4, 50 feet tall by 40 feet wide, red to red-purple foliage in fall, oval shape, seedless
Burgundy Belle® - Zone 4, 45 feet tall by 45 feet wide, red to burgundy foliage in fall, oval or rounded shape, heat and drought tolerant
Northfire® - Zone 3, 50 feet tall by 40 feet wide, red foliage in early fall, oval shape
'Northwood' - Zone 3, 50 feet tall by 35 feet wide, orange-red foliage in fall, rounded oval shape
'Red Rocket' - Zone 4, 40 feet tall by 15 feet wide, red foliage in fall, upright shape
Red Sunset® - Zone 4, 50 feet tall by 40 feet wide, long-lasting red foliage in fall, upright shape
Scarlet Jewel™- Zone 3, 70 feet tall by 30 feet wide, crimson foliage in early fall, upright shape, resists frost cracking

Kathy Zuzek former Extension educator; Rebecca Koetter; and Julie Weisenhorn, Extension educator

Reviewed in 2018