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Disappointing Red Maple Fall Colour

12 years ago

We planted a red maple tree in our back yard two years ago. It seems to be growing well - now about 12 feet high. The fall colors have been very disappointing - a dull brown. Is this likely to improve in time? Our sugar maple about the same age has produced a spectacular display this fall.

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Comments (2)

allen456
12 years ago
Patience, Grasshopper. I have an Acer Rubrum that didn't get spectacular until it had been in the ground for 5 years and reached 20 feet tall.
Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis
12 years ago
Jack, I hear Acer rubrum (red maple) fall color is more variable than Acer saccaharum (sugar maple).

Did you buy a named variety clone like "Autumn blaze" or is yours a main species tree? I planted a main species tree myself and the color is pretty tame yellow. As it gets larger it looks better, but it is not a bright red.

Here is a link that might be useful: hort.uconn acer rubrum page
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