TREE OF THE MONTH
By Len Phillips , ASLA Emeritus Photos provided by J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.
Trade Name: Autumn Spire Red Maple Botanical Name: Acer rubrum 'Autumn Spire' Family: Aceraceae Parentage: Selection by University of Minnesota Year of Introduction: 2000 Plant Patent: # 7803 Height: 35 to 40 feet Spread: 20 to 25 feet Form: Upright oval Flower: Red in early spring, male only Fruit: None, seedless Foliage: Lobbed with irregular teeth, green above, grayish underneath, red petiole
Spring Color: Reddish tinge in early spring turning to medium green Summer Foliage: Mid to dark green Autumn Foliage: Early bright red color
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Winter Color: Handsome bark and tree form Bark: Dark gray, scaly and ridged Habitat: East Coast to Mississippi River Culture: Tolerant of most soils, slightly acidic, tolerates suburban air pollutants but not urban air Site Requirements: Typical of the genus, sunny to partial shady site Hardiness Zone*: 3 to 9 Growth Rate: Full size in less than 20 years Pest Resistance: Excellent Storm Resistance: Good Salt Resistance: Fair Planting: Transplant bare root, B&B, or container in spring Pruning: Prune at planting and 3 years later to mature form Propagating: Softwood cuttings in late
summer on own roots Design Uses: Ideal for streets, good in parks, residential areas, and commercial properties Companions: Excellent in contrast with birch and evergreen trees Other Comments: Excellent street tree in northern climates Available From: Nurseries that carry the latest cultivars, may need a plant search
* For information about the USDA Hardiness Zone Map, visit www.usna.usda.gov/ Hardzone/index.html
These are the personal observations of the author, living in New England – Zone 5b. Len Phillips can be reached via e-mail at lenphillips@on-line-seminars.com.
Arbor Age / July/August 2012 23
