Canadian Maple Tree

Canadian Maple 'Fairview Flame' (Acer rubrum 'Fairview Flame') is a red maple selected for an upright oval shape and dependable autumn colour. In Australian conditions expect about 10m tall and 5m wide in fifteen years, which is a proper shade tree that still fits a suburban backyard. The leaves turn deep scarlet before they drop, and small red flowers open on the bare branches in late winter.

Why you'll love it

• Reliable autumn colour. This selection colours dependably rather than turning a dull yellow, which is the usual disappointment with seedling red maples.
• Fast to make shade. One of the quicker deciduous shade trees, so a bare yard has useful canopy within five or six years.
• Upright rather than sprawling. The oval form keeps the canopy above the garden instead of spreading sideways over the fence.
• Tolerant of wet ground. Red maples handle soil that stays damp after rain, which suits the low corner of a block.

Where it works best

Shade tree. Plant it 5m from the house. In summer the canopy shades the western side, and once the leaves drop the winter sun comes straight back through.

Driveways and avenues. Plant 4m apart for an avenue. The upright habit keeps branches clear of vehicles without constant lifting.

Seasonal screening. A row gives height and privacy through the warm months, though bare branches in winter make it no substitute for an evergreen hedge.

Growing Canadian Maple in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, with shelter from hot dry wind that scorches leaf margins. It belongs in cool temperate and warm temperate gardens, and it is frost hardy, so cold southern and tableland districts suit it well. Subtropical and tropical gardens are too warm for good colour and are best avoided.

Soil. Deep, moisture retentive and slightly acidic gives the best result. It tolerates soil that stays wet, but not one that dries out hard, and alkaline ground causes yellowing between the leaf veins. Mulch 75mm deep, clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Water deeply twice a week through the first two summers and continue through dry spells after that, because this is not a drought tolerant tree. A complete fertiliser in early spring supports the fast early growth.

Pruning. Prune in late autumn or winter while dormant, since maples bleed sap heavily in spring. Keep a single leader, remove crossing branches and lift the lower limbs gradually over the first few years.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in a 45L pot, an advanced tree with a formed trunk and the beginnings of a canopy rather than a starter plant. Stake it for the first year on an exposed site.

Being deciduous, a winter delivery arrives as bare branches, which is normal. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery, and advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Expect a settling in season, then strong growth from the second year. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse trees and plants with autumn colour
• Choosing trees to line a driveway
• Compare deciduous trees for winter light
• Fast growing shade trees

Common questions

Will it colour well in a warm garden?

It colours best where nights turn genuinely cold in autumn. In warm temperate gardens expect good red, and in cool temperate districts expect the deep scarlet the variety is known for.

How close can I plant it to paving?

Allow at least 3m. Red maple roots are surface feeding and will lift a narrow path over time, so give it a garden bed rather than a cutout in concrete.

How fast does it actually grow?

Roughly 10m in fifteen years in Australian conditions, so half a metre to a metre a year once established, and slower on dry or exposed sites.