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Freeman Maple

Acer freemanii

Sapindaceae, Aceraceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · introduced

Last updated

Data Coverage 3 of 6 dimensions
Site Data
Threats
Cultivars
Phenology
GDD Thresholds
Puget Sound

A deliberate hybrid of red maple (A. rubrum) and silver maple (A. saccharinum), combining red maple's fall color with silver maple's growth rate. A large deciduous shade tree reaching 65 to 80 feet with fall color spanning burgundy, gold, orange, red, and yellow. Named for Oliver M. Freeman, who first described the cross in 1969. Nearly all specimens in the trade are named cultivars rather than seedlings.

Hardy to Zone 4a. Full sun. Tolerates heavy soils. Inherited some of silver maple's surface rooting tendency, so it will eventually lift pavement; site where root space is generous. Five cultivars are in the trade: 'Jeffersred' (Autumn Blaze, PP4864, orange-red fall color, 50 feet, Zone 3), 'Armstrong' (50 to 70 feet, Zone 4), 'Celzam' (Celebration, PP7279, seedless, gold-red, 45 feet), 'Morgan' (broad spreading, orange-red, 45 feet), and 'Sienna' (Sienna Glen, PP11322, strong central leader, 50 feet, Zone 3). WSU HortSense notes 'Jade Glen' as Verticillium wilt resistant. Nineteen diseases and fifteen pests documented.

Quick Facts

Height
65–80 ft
Light
Full Sun
Hardiness
Zone Zones 4a–8b
Fall Color
Burgundy, gold, orange, red, yellow

Diseases (19)

Pests (13)

Cultivars (5)

'Armstrong'
Common name: Armstrong Maple; Mature height: 50–70 ft
Hardy to USDA Zone 4
'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze®
Fast-growing; brilliant orange-red fall color; 50 ft
Hardy to USDA Zone 3
'Celzam' Celebration®
Uniform branching; seedless; gold-red fall color; 45 ft
Hardy to USDA Zone 4
'Morgan'
Broad spreading form; orange-red fall color; 45 ft
Hardy to USDA Zone 4
'Sienna' Sienna Glen®
Strong central leader; orange-red fall color; 50 ft
Hardy to USDA Zone 3