Acer rubrum 'Armstrong Gold®' Maple

Tree

Feb 13

The Freeman maple (Acer × freemanii) is a hybrid of red maple (Acer rubrum) and silver maple (Acer saccharinum). Two notable cultivars, 'Armstrong' and 'Armstrong Gold®', stand out for their narrow forms and vibrant fall displays.

The Origin of Acer × freemanii

Named after Oliver M. Freeman, who pioneered the hybrid at the U.S. National Arboretum, Freeman maples are valued for their rapid growth and adaptability.

'Armstrong':

Breeder: Princeton Nursery, New Jersey
Form: Tall, narrow, columnar
Fall Color: Yellow to orange-red
Growth: Fast, with a strong central leader
Best for: Urban and residential landscapes

'Armstrong Gold®':

Official Name: Acer rubrum 'JFS-KW78' PP 25301
Breeder: J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co., Oregon
Selection: Chosen from hundreds of 'Armstrong' seedlings for superior traits
Form: Compact, dense, and upright columnar
Fall Color: Bright golden-orange
Growth: Strong branch structure with moderate growth
Best for: Narrow street planting sites and urban designs
Notable Traits: Smaller leaves, compact form, and greater foliage density, resembling Acer rubrum more than Acer × freemanii (Dirr and Warren, 2019)

Why JFS Named It Under Acer rubrum

J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co. chose to classify Armstrong Gold® under Acer rubrum rather than Acer × freemanii due to its distinct traits that closely align with red maple characteristics. According to Oregon State University and Dirr and Warren (2019):

Foliage: Smaller, denser leaves typical of Acer rubrum.
Form: Compact, less leggy growth habit compared to Acer × freemanii.
Color: Brighter, richer fall hues more aligned with red maple.

Although Armstrong Gold® is genetically a hybrid, its phenotype strongly expresses Acer rubrum traits, justifying the species designation for commercial and horticultural clarity.

  
    Feature
    'Armstrong'
    'Armstrong Gold®'
  

    Breeder
    Princeton Nursery
    J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.
  

    Selection Basis
    Standard cultivar
    Selected from 'Armstrong' seedlings
  

    Form
    Tall, columnar
    Compact, dense, columnar
  

    Fall Color
    Yellow to orange-red
    Bright golden-orange
  

    Growth Rate
    Faster
    Moderate
  

    Branch Strength
    Moderate (prone to splitting)
    Strong (improved structure)
  

    Foliage Traits
    Larger leaves
    Smaller leaves, denser canopy
  

Feature	'Armstrong'	'Armstrong Gold®'
Breeder	Princeton Nursery	J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.
Selection Basis	Standard cultivar	Selected from 'Armstrong' seedlings
Form	Tall, columnar	Compact, dense, columnar
Fall Color	Yellow to orange-red	Bright golden-orange
Growth Rate	Faster	Moderate
Branch Strength	Moderate (prone to splitting)	Strong (improved structure)
Foliage Traits	Larger leaves	Smaller leaves, denser canopy

Chris’ Commentary

I prefer 'Armstrong Gold®' due to its improved structure and branch strength, which reduce the risk of breakage. Its compact form and rich fall color make it ideal for urban plantings, streetscapes, and high-traffic zones. While 'Armstrong'remains a solid choice for rapid vertical growth, 'Armstrong Gold®' offers a more durable, long-term solution for limited-space plantings. The development of Acer rubrum Armstrong Gold® highlights how selective breeding refines and improves beloved cultivars. The name Acer rubrum honors the cultivar’s dominant red maple characteristics, making it a practical and attractive choice for urban landscapes.

Chris Welch