Images Depict Mature Plants
Red Sunset Maple Tree
Acer rubrum ‘Franksred’ RED SUNSET
Red Sunset Maple is a strong choice when you want a classic shade tree with dependable red fall color. It gives you fast growth, a handsome canopy, and that bright autumn display homeowners expect from a red maple. Give it room, moisture, and slightly acidic soil if possible. I would avoid forcing it into dry, compacted, or high-pH sites where red maples tend to struggle.
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A Classic Red Maple Shade Tree with Brilliant Fall Color
Brilliant Red Fall Color on a Dependable Shade Tree
Red Sunset Maple is a popular red maple cultivar grown for its brilliant red to orange-red fall color, glossy green summer foliage, and dependable shade-tree form. This deciduous tree brings a strong seasonal impact to front yards, lawns, streetscapes, driveways, and large residential landscapes where a full-size shade tree is needed.
The fall display is the main reason homeowners choose Red Sunset Maple. Its foliage often colors earlier than some other red maple cultivars, producing rich red, scarlet, and orange-red tones that stand out beautifully in autumn landscapes. When planted in the right site, it becomes a long-lasting focal point with both summer shade and fall color value.
Fast Growth with a Strong Pyramidal-to-Rounded Canopy
Red Sunset Maple develops a pyramidal to rounded form with ascending branches and a full canopy. Young trees create a clean, upright shape, while mature trees provide broader shade and a more established landscape presence.
This cultivar is useful when homeowners want shade faster than slower-growing trees can provide, but still want a polished ornamental look. Use it as a front lawn tree, street tree, driveway accent, backyard shade tree, or large-scale landscape anchor. Give it enough room to mature away from overhead wires, foundations, and narrow planting strips.
Glossy Green Summer Foliage and Seasonal Interest
During the growing season, Red Sunset Maple has attractive green foliage that creates cooling shade and a classic red maple look. In spring, red maple flowers and winged seeds can add subtle seasonal color before the leaves fully expand.
By fall, the foliage becomes the show. The red-to-orange-red autumn color pairs beautifully with evergreens, flowering shrubs, ornamental grasses, and late-season perennials. In large landscapes, Red Sunset Maple can be repeated along drives or property edges for a bold seasonal rhythm.
Cold Hardy, Urban Tolerant, and Adaptable
Red Sunset Maple is cold-hardy and adaptable, making it a strong choice for a wide range of landscapes. It performs best in full sun to part shade and prefers moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soil. It can tolerate periods of wet soil better than many trees, which makes it useful in sites with seasonal moisture.
Although established trees can handle some urban conditions, Red Sunset Maple is not the best choice for very dry, compacted, or highly alkaline soils. In alkaline conditions, red maples may develop chlorosis, where leaves yellow between the veins. Proper site selection helps ensure the strongest growth and best foliage color.
Easy Care with Proper Siting and Early Pruning
Plant Red Sunset Maple in a sunny location with enough space for a mature shade tree. Water regularly after planting while the root system establishes, and mulch around the root zone to conserve moisture and protect the trunk from mower damage.
Young trees benefit from structural pruning to develop strong branch spacing and a balanced canopy. Prune during dormancy or when appropriate for maple trees, removing damaged, crossing, or poorly attached branches. With good spacing, moisture, and early training, Red Sunset Maple becomes a reliable long-term shade tree.
| Hardiness Zone: | 3-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 40 to 50 feet |
| Mature Width: | 25 to 50 feet |
| Sunlight: | Full sun to part shade; best fall color in full sun |
| Soil Condition | Moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soil preferred; tolerates seasonal wet soil |
| Water Requirements: | Water regularly after planting; prefers moderate moisture; not ideal for prolonged drought |
| Bloom Time / Color | Late winter to early spring; small red flowers before or as leaves emerge |
| Ornamental Features | Brilliant fall color, fast growth, shade canopy, glossy foliage, pyramidal-to-rounded form |
| Wildlife Value | Provides shade, canopy habitat, and seasonal cover; seeds may be eaten by wildlife |
| Resistance (deer/disease/drought/etc.) | Cold hardy; urban tolerant; tolerates wet soil; may be sensitive to drought and alkaline soil |
| Landscape Uses: | Shade tree, lawn tree, front yard tree, street tree, driveway tree, park tree, large residential landscape tree |
How to Care for Red Sunset Maple Tree
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Red Sunset Maple Tree for years to come!
How should I plant Red Sunset Maple Tree?
Plant Red Sunset Maple Tree in full sun to part shade with moist, well-drained soil. Choose a location with enough room for a full-size shade tree to mature. Avoid planting directly under power lines or too close to foundations, sidewalks, driveways, septic systems, or narrow landscape beds. Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Set the root flare slightly above the surrounding soil line, backfill with native soil, and water thoroughly. Apply mulch over the root zone, keeping mulch several inches away from the trunk.
How often should I water Red Sunset Maple Tree after planting?
Water Red Sunset Maple deeply after planting, then keep the root zone evenly moist while the tree establishes. During the first growing season, water when the top few inches of soil begin to dry, especially during hot, dry, or windy weather. Established Red Sunset Maple trees prefer moderate moisture. They can tolerate some wet soil, but they are not ideal for long dry periods without supplemental watering. Deep watering during drought helps protect foliage quality, fall color, and overall tree health.
When should I fertilize Red Sunset Maple Tree?
Fertilize Red Sunset Maple in early spring only if growth is weak or soil fertility is low. A balanced slow-release tree fertilizer or compost topdressing can support healthy growth in poor soils. Avoid heavy fertilizing, especially with high-nitrogen fertilizer. Too much fertilizer can encourage excessive soft growth. If leaves appear yellow with green veins, especially in alkaline soil, test the soil before treating for possible chlorosis.
When and how should I prune Red Sunset Maple Tree?
Prune Red Sunset Maple when the tree is young to develop strong branch spacing and a balanced canopy. Remove dead, damaged, crossing, or poorly attached branches. Major pruning is best done while the tree is dormant or during an appropriate pruning window for maples. Avoid removing too much canopy at one time. Good early structure helps the tree mature into a stronger, safer shade tree.
