Acer rubrum 'Autumn Flame'

Autumn Flame Maple

Acer rubrum ‘Autumn Flame’ is a popular red maple cultivar known for its early, intense fall color and reliable landscape performance. Spring brings small red flowers, followed by medium green foliage that forms a dense summer canopy.

As temperatures cool, ‘Autumn Flame’ is among the first maples to color, turning brilliant orange-red to scarlet, often weeks earlier than other shade trees. The habit is upright to broadly oval, developing into a well-shaped medium to large shade tree.

This cultivar adapts well to a wide range of soils, including moist sites, and tolerates urban conditions better than sugar maple. It performs best in full sun to partial shade.

Size



Width: 25–40 ft



Height: 40–50 ft



Hardiness



USDA Zones: 3–8



Best Uses


Medium to large shade tree



Residential lawns and parks



Street tree (with adequate space)



Early fall color focal point



Native and naturalized landscapes

Plant type

Deciduous Tree, Shade Tree

Height

40-50'

Width

35-40'

Hardiness zones

3–8

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Spring

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Orange Red

Attracts

Bees

Soil

Clay, Loamy, Sandy

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Street Tree

Shape

Oval

Bark

Fissured

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No