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Red Sunset® Maple Tree

Acer rubrum 'Franksred'

Regular price $8613
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Plant Sentry™

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Delivery and Shipping

Delivery and Shipping

Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
$199+ FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Attracts Birds, Cold hardy, Deer-resistant, Disease resistant, Drought resistant, Fall Color/Interest, Fast-growing, Full Sun, Heat Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Native, Non-invasive, and Ornamental Berries/Fruit

Specifications

  • Botanical Name
    Acer rubrum 'Franksred'
  • Height
    40-50 ft
  • Width
    30-35 ft
  • Growing Zones
    4-9
  • Sunlight
    • Full sun
  • Growth Rate
    Moderate
  • Flower Color
    • Red
  • Leaf Color
    • Green
    • Red
    • Orange
  • Fall Color
    Red
  • Native
    Yes
  • Pollinator Friendly
    Yes
  • Bloom Period
    Early Spring
  • Does Not Ship To
    AK, HI, ID, MT, OR

Planting & Care Instructions

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: Plant this tree where it will receive a minimum of six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight daily for best results. Although it tolerates partial shade, the glorious red fall color will be significantly muted, appearing a less intense yellow-orange.
  • Soil: The Red Sunset Maple thrives in moist, rich, and slightly acidic soil that drains well. If you have heavy clay, deeply amend the planting area with generous amounts of compost and peat moss to improve drainage and help lower the pH. For sandy sites, incorporating organic matter will be critical to retain the moisture and nutrients the tree needs.

Watering Requirements

For the first two growing seasons, focus on deep, consistent watering, providing a slow soaking once or twice a week until the top couple of inches of soil are dry. This establishes a robust root system capable of supporting the mature tree. While established Red Sunset Maples are moderately tolerant of drought, inconsistent watering will lead to leaf scorch, premature leaf drop, and stress, particularly during a hot summer. Provide supplemental water during extended dry spells.

Pruning Tips

Since this tree is grown for its form and foliage rather than specific flowers, pruning should be done in late winter before the sap begins to run in early spring. Trimming at this time prevents the significant "bleeding" that can weaken the tree and attract insects. Your goal is to establish a strong, central leader and remove any broken, dead, or crossing branches to build a healthy canopy structure that will be stable as it matures.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a granular, balanced, slow-release fertilizer like a 10-10-10 specifically formulated for trees and shrubs in early spring, just as the buds begin to swell. Do not use high-nitrogen fertilizers after mid-July; this late application will stimulate tender, new growth. That soft wood will not have adequate time to harden off before winter, leaving the branch tips highly vulnerable to cold damage and dieback.

Stunning Fall Color Red Sunset® Maple Tree

  • Outstanding Red Color
  • Spring & Fall Display
  • Fast-Growing
  • Strong Limbs

If you want a tree with absolutely stunning fall color, take a good look at the Red Sunset® Maple tree (Acer rubrum 'Franksred')! This is a Red Maple tree to love all year round. In early spring, bright red flower buds appear on the branches before the foliage appears. They'll open into tight clusters of red flowers.

Following the flowers, the new leaves have a slight red overlay. Even the new growth leaves and twigs are tinted red before the star-shaped, glossy leaves mature into a medium to dark green. This gives the tree a fresh, cool summer look.

But everybody knows you plant a Red Sunset® for the spectacular, super early orange-red to brilliant red color display in fall. The Red Sunset® colors up earlier than most, and that incredible color lasts and lasts, giving you a wonderful backdrop for football watch parties.

The Red Sunset® Maple is well known as one of the very best cultivars for fall color. When this plant was introduced, it became the most desirable Maple and remains top-notch today!

When fall arrives, prepare yourself for one of the most spectacular autumn displays you'll ever witness. It's been described as the color of a glowing flame!

Order this tree and get ready for a superior fall display! You surely deserve it.

How to Use Red Sunset® Maple in the Landscape

This variety of Red Maple is an outstanding choice for any landscape. It's tall and strong with brilliant red colors in the fall for an extended time. Red Sunset® has become a go-to for many landscape architects and landscape companies.

Plant one as a focal point in your front yard, or place one in sight of a window where it can draw your eye to the brilliant color of its long fall display.

Try planting an informal grouping of Red Sunset® as an effective focal point at the back end of your yard. Best to use an odd number of trees in this case and create a natural group by planting along a gentle, meandering curve. You'll love looking out at your trees from a comfy deck chair.

We recommend planning ahead for nighttime enjoyment. Run electricity to the grouping, so you can place exterior uplights underneath the grouping. Position the lights so they'll shine them up into the canopy.

This tree is wonderful as a shade tree in the front or backyard. The well-balanced branch structure gives it a dignified look in your landscape all year long.

Like all Maples, its roots love water. Use it in a Rain Garden to help capture water from runoff. Plant at least 50 feet away from sewers and water mains.

#ProPlantTips for Care

Young plants have a fantastic pyramidal form, especially when young. As the plant matures, it will develop into a pleasingly rounded outline. These pretty trees are tough, too. Many municipalities use them as street trees regularly.

The leaves of this Maple are smaller than many other Maple varieties. The dark green top surface of the leaves contrasts nicely with the silvery underside of the leaves.

It's a fast-growing tree but still has stronger wood than other selections, tolerating wind better. There are no significant diseases or insect issues with Red Sunset® once it is established. it's relatively pest-free in most areas and becomes quite adaptable to most areas after it has been established.

Plant Red Sunset® Maple in full sun for even uniform growth and superior fall color. They can tolerate part shade, but the fall color will always be best when grown in more sun.

They enjoy a rich, slightly acidic soil that is evenly moist and well-drained, but once established this plant becomes tolerant of drier soils too.

Tall and strong with brilliant color, Red Sunset® Maple Tree is an outstanding choice. Order today!

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