Woodie’s Picks: Maple Trees—Shade That Changes a Home
There’s a reason maple trees feel like “home.” In summer, they soften the heat. In the fall, they turn a regular street into something worth slowing down for. And year after year, they make your yard feel more like a place you live—not just a space you maintain.
Our Maple Tree collection includes homeowner-favorites like Autumn Blaze Maple, Brandywine Red Maple, October Glory Maple, Sugar Maple, and Autumn Flame Maple—picked for big shade, strong growth, and unforgettable fall color.
Why Maple Trees Matter (Beyond Looking Beautiful)
They cool down your whole property
A maple is basically nature’s patio umbrella—except it gets better every year. Once the canopy starts filling in, you’ll feel it immediately: your yard is cooler, your deck isn’t scorching hot, and you actually want to sit outside in July.
If you plant one in the right spot—especially where the afternoon sun hits your house—it can also help your home feel less “baked” in summer.
They bring your yard to life
A maple isn’t just a tree. It’s a gathering place.
Birds perch, squirrels jump in and out, and the whole yard feels more active and alive. Over time, it becomes part of your daily routine: morning coffee under the leaves, a quick look up at the color change in fall, the sound of leaves moving in a light wind.
They’re good for your head and your heart
Homeownership can be a lot—noise, screens, schedules, and the constant feeling that something needs fixing. A tree is one of the simplest ways to build a little peace into your day.
It gives you a place to sit in the shade, something living to care about, and a reason to step outside for a minute. And most people don’t realize how much that helps until they have it.
The Maple Trees You’ll Find in Our Collection
Autumn Blaze Maple
If you want shade sooner rather than later, this is a classic pick. The Autumn Blaze Maple grows quickly, fills out nicely, and puts on a serious fall show—bright, bold, can’t-miss-it color. This popular cultivar is known for its brilliant red-orange fall color. A hybrid of red and silver maples, the Autumn Blaze offers striking color, rapid growth, and an impressive adaptability to urban settings. You can expect your Autumn Blaze to withstand conditions of drought and air pollution, and will adapt easily to a variety of soil types.
Brandywine Red Maple
The Brandywine Red Maple is for the homeowner who wants rich color—especially in fall—without a lot of fuss. It’s a great “front yard statement tree” that still earns its keep as a shade tree. This medium-sized, oval-shaped specimen produces scarlet to purple fall color and dense, dark green summer foliage. The Brandywine Maple is a tidy, seedless ornamental that grows about 30-45 feet tall but has a narrower spread than many maples.
October Glory Maple
This one is loved for one reason: its reliably gorgeous fall color. If you want that classic “maple in autumn” look—reds, oranges, that warm glow—October Glory Maple is an easy favorite. The October Glory is fast-growing and produces and dense, rounded shape at maturity. The tree's deep green foliage transitions to a breathtaking show of deep oranges and reds that brings warmth and vibrance to any landscape. It's a popular low-maintenance tree that matures to 40-50 feet tall with a 25-30 foot spread.
Sugar Maple
This is the long-game tree. It’s the kind of maple you plant once, and your house grows up around it. Strong shade, beautiful structure, and the kind of presence that makes a yard feel established and valuable. What sets the Sugar Maple apart is its distinctive 5-lobed, pointed leaves, which turn vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red in the fall. The tree's foliage is properly complemented with a smooth gray bark that develops deep furrows with age. Also known as the 'Hard Maple,' or the 'Rock Maple,' this is a tree that is commonly used for harvesting and making maple syrup.
Quick “Where Do I Plant It?” Tips (So You Actually Feel the Shade)
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Want to cool your house? Plant it where it’ll block late-day sun (often the west or southwest side).
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Want to enjoy it daily? Put it near the patio or where you’ll see it from a favorite window.
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Want it to look intentional? Give it room to spread so it can grow into a full canopy without fighting your roofline or power lines.
The Bottom Line
Maple trees are one of the best “quality of life” upgrades you can make to a home. They cool the yard. They make outdoor spaces usable again. They bring wildlife back. And they quietly give you something every homeowner needs more of: a little calm, a little beauty, and a reason to step outside.
If you’re ready to plant shade, you’ll feel every summer—and fall color you’ll look forward to every year—start with the Maple Tree collection at Garden Goods Direct.