Maple, Red, Fairview Flame

Tree Care:

Planting:

Choose a full sun location to ensure the most intense autumn color. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and to the same depth. Prefers moist, rich, and slightly acidic soils; avoid highly alkaline soils, which can cause the leaves to yellow (chlorosis).

Watering:

Provide deep, regular watering 1–2 times a week during the first few growing seasons to establish a robust root system. Red maples naturally thrive in moist environments, so maintain consistent moisture during hot, dry summer spells.

Fertilizing:

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring before new leaves emerge. If your soil is naturally alkaline, a fertilizer containing sulfur or iron can help maintain the necessary soil acidity.

Pruning:

Prune in late spring or early summer after the leaves have fully expanded. Avoid pruning in late winter or early spring, as maples "bleed" sap heavily during this time. Focus on removing dead wood and correcting structural limbs with narrow crotch angles.

Pest and Disease Control:

Keep an eye out for aphids, scale, and leafhoppers. While generally healthy, maples can occasionally be susceptible to fungal leaf spot or verticillium wilt. Ensure proper soil drainage and clear away fallen leaves to minimize fungal risks.

Winter Care:

Apply a 3-inch layer of wood mulch around the base to insulate the roots, keeping it clear of the trunk. Young red maples have thin bark, so using a commercial trunk wrap during the winter will protect them from frost cracks and sunscald.

Tree Description:

Appearance:

Produces tiny, showy clusters of red flowers along the bare branches in early spring before the foliage emerges, followed by small, winged seeds (samaras).

Features smooth, silver-gray bark when young that develops attractive furrows and ridges as the tree reaches maturity.

Foliage:

Medium green, classic three-to-five-lobed leaves provide a lush, clean canopy throughout the spring and summer.

In autumn, it earns its name by erupting into a exceptionally bright, uniform, and long-lasting display of glowing scarlet and fiery orange-red.

Shape and Growth:

Features a strong, upright, and symmetrical pyramidal form when young, gradually maturing into a dense, oval-to-rounded crown.

A vigorous grower that quickly establishes itself, ultimately reaching a mature height of 40–50 feet and a spread of 30–40 feet.

Adaptability:

Highly adaptable to varying soil conditions, demonstrating a much better tolerance for wet, poorly drained soils than sugar maples or Freeman maples. Thrives across USDA Zones 4–9.

Landscape Use:

An exceptional choice for a large lawn shade tree, street tree, or park specimen. Its reliable, jaw-dropping autumn display makes it a magnificent focal point for properties with ample room to let it grow.