Plant of the Week! - 10/08/26 - Autumn Blaze® Maple
Autumn Blaze® Maple (Acer × freemanii 'Jeffersred'), also known as Jeffersred Maple, is easily one of the top-selling shade trees here at the Garden Center! If you're looking for a shade tree that grows quickly, provides plenty of shade, and has beautiful fall foliage, Autumn Blaze® Maple is definitely worth considering! It's a popular choice for Utah landscapes, although our alkaline soils can sometimes present a few challenges.
📈Quick stats:
Height: 40–50 feet tall
Width: 30–40 feet wide
Sun: Full Sun
Growing Zones: USDA Zones 3–8
What does it look like?
Autumn Blaze® Maple is a beautiful, fast-growing shade tree with bright green throughout the spring and summer, and as temperatures cool in the fall, the leaves turn brilliant shades of orange, scarlet, and bright red. This beautiful fall color is one of the main reasons Autumn Blaze® Maple is such a popular tree!
Botanically, autumn Blaze® Maple is a cross between a Red Maple and a Silver Maple. It combines the fast-growing nature of the Silver Maple with the beautiful fall colors of the Red Maple. It also grows fairly quickly and can grow around 2–3 feet per year, making them an excellent option for homeowners who don't want to wait decades for a nice shade tree!
How to take care of Autumn Blaze Maple?
Autumn Blaze® Maple grows best in full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Remember that these trees grow quite large, so make sure to give them plenty of room to spread out, away from buildings and overhead power lines. These make great backyard trees, as long as you have a large enough yard!
Make sure to water your Autumn Blaze® regularly - especially for new trees that are not established. Our hot dry summers can be harsh on the tree, and regular waterings help to ensure that your tree does not suffer damage.
Adding a layer of wood mulch around the tree can also help conserve moisture. Mulch also keeps the roots cooler, and protects the trunk from lawn equipment.
Here in the Uintah Basin, one of the most important things to consider is our soil! Many of our local soils are naturally alkaline (high in salt) and can also contain quite a bit of clay. Autumn Blaze® Maples prefer well-drained soil and can sometimes struggle with our high soil pH.
One issue to watch for is iron chlorosis, which causes leaves to turn yellow while their veins remain green. This happens when the tree has difficulty absorbing iron from alkaline soil. If you notice these symptoms, an iron treatment usually helps. We carry several different kinds!
Additional Information -
A fun fact: Autumn Blaze® Maple is a hybrid of two North American maple species, the Red Maple (Acer rubrum) and Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum). Its cultivar name, 'Jeffersred', comes from the original selection, while Autumn Blaze® is the name most people recognize!
PLANTING TIPS:
If you purchase a tree from us, (or any nursery) make sure to follow any given planting instructions. As a rule of thumb, plant the tree at the same level as it is planted in the pot, and gently slope the soil away from the trunk. Do not plant above the graft line. We know planting a tree can be stressful, or confusing sometimes, but don't fret, we're here to help!
To add Autumn Blaze® Maple to your list or read more information about it, please browse our products and search for 'Autumn Blaze® Maple'. We also carry other types of maples including Korean maples, Crimson King, Pacific Sunset® & more!
Until next week, happy planting!🌺
- Split Mountain Garden Center
