The Autumn Blaze Maple is a fast-growing, deciduous shade tree valued for its strong structure and brilliant fall color. It is a hybrid of red maple and silver maple, combining the adaptability and vigor of silver maple with the intense red-orange autumn foliage of red maple. The tree has an upright to broadly oval crown, dense branching, and attractive dark green, deeply lobed leaves that turn vivid shades of fiery red, orange, and scarlet in fall. Its smooth gray bark becomes lightly furrowed with age, adding winter interest.
- Size: Mature height: 40–50 ft (12–15 m). Mature spread: 30–40 ft (9–12 m). Growth rate: Fast (2–3 ft per year under ideal conditions)
- Light: Full sun for best growth and fall color
- Soil: Adaptable; prefers moist, well-drained soil but tolerates clay and varying pH
- Water: Moderate; water regularly when young, drought-tolerant once established
- Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8
- Maintenance: Low; prune in late summer or fall if needed to maintain structure
- Landscape use: Excellent shade tree for lawns, parks, and large residential landscapes