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Autumn Blaze Maple Trees have stunning fall foliage with branches that are rounded or oval. These trees are a hybrid species of red maple and silver maple and boast beautiful reddish-orange color that looks spectacular in any landscape.
If you’re interested in growing the Autumn Blaze, you’ll be pleased to know that this maple tree is extremely hardy and can withstand most climatic conditions. In this article, get to know all the important growing and caring tips for the Autumn Blaze Maple so you can enhance your landscape with this fall tree.
When the maple tree is newly planted in the ground, flood its soil with water to help settle the roots. You must then provide the tree with regular watering during its first growing season (up to 4 times per week). As a rule of thumb, a young Autumn Blaze will need around 20 gallons of water a week divided into 3 sessions.
Climate
The good news is, Autumn Blaze is a hardy tree that can tolerate most weather conditions, from freezing cold temperatures of the Northern US to the heat and humidity of the southern regions. This high adaptability is thanks to its parent trees, the red and silver maple.
Light
If you live in a northern or cold climate, give your tree plenty of direct suns. In warmer regions, these trees require a little shade to prevent heat stress.
Fertilizer
You shouldn’t fertilize your newly planted Autumn Blaze until after its first growing season. From the second year, you may give the soil a boost by feeding it a high-nitrogen fertilizer in early spring or fall.
Soil
Since Autumn Blaze Maples are the easiest trees to care for, all you need to do is ensure their soil is well-drained and moist. Having said that, these trees do tolerate poor soil because of their parents’ hardy characteristics.
Growing Autumn Blaze Maple Trees From Cuttings
Growing an Autumn Blaze from cuttings is the easiest way to increase their population in your garden. To propagate this tree, take several 4-inch cuttings from the tips of young maples in summer or fall. Be sure to remove the leaves from the lower sections of the stem.
The next step is to scrape the stem’s lower bark using a clean knife before placing it in the rooting hormone. The cutting is then ready to be planted in a pot. Stick the lower 2 inches in moist soil.
For increased air circulation around the plant, add humidity by enclosing the pot with a plastic bag with a bottom cut out.
Once the cutting takes root, remove the plastic bag, and plant it in a sunny location in your garden.
Optimal Planting Time
To help your Autumn Blaze Maple grow in optimal conditions, give it a good start by planting the tree in fall when the soil is moist and the weather is cooler. It will be simpler to maintain the soil moisture during this season.
To plant your tree in the garden, dig a hole twice the width of your maple’s root ball. The depth of the hole should be a few inches deeper than the root ball. Keep the bottom soil firm so the tree can remain stable. You won’t need to add any mulch or fertilizer to the soil.
With the fall’s shorter days and longer nights, your newly planted tree’s roots can flourish over winter and prepare itself for the upcoming growing season.
After-planting Care
After planting your tree, water the soil deeply to help retain moisture. If there are lots of weeds growing around the tree, they will deprive your maple of essential nutrients, so keep the root zone surrounding the tree weed-free. Make sure you frequently water the newly planted tree for the first several months. Once it gets established, reduce the waterings to help the roots grow deep and wide.
Keep in mind that after the first growing season, you won’t need to maintain your Autumn Blaze as often. Aside from infrequent fertilizing and pruning, the tree will happily grow at a fast rate in any climatic condition.
Common Pests and Diseases
Diseased foliage: brown spots on the leaves of your maple tree are usually a sign of leaf spot or tar spot disease. The good news is, these diseases can easily be rectified and rarely cause problems. Spray the tree with a fungicide if you notice a severe case of brown spots. Make sure the fungicide you use is specially formulated for maple trees.
If you live in a hot climate, the brown spots may have been caused by drought or dry, windy weather. In these cases, increase watering to relieve the symptoms. If the leaves are heat stressed, this means the tree is unable to take up enough water through its roots.
Diseased wood: the brown sunken areas on the bark are usually caused by cankers. They make the branches more susceptible to breakage and even ooze discharge from the trunk. Wilt is another cause of diseased wood and is noticeable on the limp leaves along with brown spots on the inner wood layers. In severe cases, it’s best to trim the infected branches. Make sure you sterilize your pruning tools in between the cuts by dipping them in a mixture of chlorine bleach and water.
Insects: there are several pests that can cause brown spots on Autumn Blaze Maples. Scales grow in colonies within the branches and trunk. They can be brown, orange or green, depending on the species. To treat, use insecticidal oil until there is no sign of infestation.
Mites and flathead tree borers can also cause spots on the foliage or lesions on the trunk and branches. If infested, the outer layer of the bark may start peeling away, thus causing tree death. While these pests are quite difficult to control on established maples, you can still spray an insecticide, like permethrin, on the tree’s trunk in spring.
FAQs
How long do Autumn Blaze cuttings take to root?
It may take around 8 to 10 weeks as the cuttings require optimal conditions. If kept indoors, place the cuttings near a window that receives direct sunlight. Keep the cutting warm and humid until it starts rooting. You can then place it in a pot.
How far should I plant my Autumn Blaze from my house?
Just as with any large tree, your maple should be planted at least 15-20 feet away from your home in order to avoid foundation damage.
Why are the leaves on my Autumn Blaze turning brown and falling off?
This may be a sign of underwatering. If the leaves are falling prematurely, or they are changing color, check the soil’s condition and moisture. Drought stress can dry the leaves while over-irrigation can also kill the roots. Always keep an eye on the moisture level of your soil and make sure it is well-drained.
When is the best time to prune my Autumn Blaze maple?
The best time to prune an Autumn Blaze is in late winter or early spring. These are the seasons that your tree is dormant. You may also trim the tree in summer if you want to stunt the growth of its top branches.
We ordered seven Blazing Maple trees‚ one for each grandchild to plant on the family farm. They arrived in great shape except one that didn't travel as well. I contacted the company and I received a replacement tree in a few days. The trees are planted and looking great!
Anonymous
Verified Buyer July 16, 2021 at 3:18pm
Just now coming back
I purchased one of these before and loved it. Bought again and was very stressed. Been about a month later and just now coming back. We will see
Anonymous
Verified Buyer June 2, 2021 at 7:21pm
Just planted the tree a week ago
It has been a good experience with the item that I purchased. It can well packaged along with instructions
Anonymous
Verified Buyer May 23, 2021 at 9:39pm
Died following day due to frost
I tried, the trees looked great coming out of the box. I work for the USPS, so believe me when I say that the packaging was spectacular! Quality boxes were used to prevent damage in shipping. The night after they came, it froze and all the leaves withered and fell off. So I believe they have died, but I water the twigs sticking out of the ground every other morning, and have my fingers crossed. Your company did a great job, but I live in North Dakota. So again, oh well, I tried.
Anonymous
Verified Buyer May 18, 2021 at 4:22pm
Beautiful, healthy tree!
It was shipped quickly and packaged carefully. Super healthy and beautiful!
Anonymous
Verified Buyer April 29, 2021 at 6:01pm
Autumn Blaze Red Maple
Great! Came in a timely manner, although arrived a day later than predicted. Beautiful tree.
Anonymous
Verified Buyer April 12, 2021 at 3:49pm
Beautiful tree
It's still small but a few leaves are appearing and it's beautiful!
Anonymous
Verified Buyer April 2, 2021 at 4:18pm
Autumn Blaze Red Maple Tree
Ordering is fast & easy. I planted this tree as soon as I received it. It looks very healthy. I can't wait till it matures, grows taller with its red leaves, I'm sure my tree will be the best tree and the most beautiful tree in my neighborhood. I love it.
Anonymous
Verified Buyer November 9, 2020 at 5:08pm
Autumn Blaze Maple tree
It was well packaged and a healthy tree with lots of roots. I was very happy with my purchase.
Anonymous
Verified Buyer July 11, 2020 at 10:20pm
Drop & Grow
Great, Drop & Grow is the way Go!
Deer Resistant
Fast Growing
Mature height
40-50 ft.
Mature width
30-40 ft.
Sunlight requirement
Full Sun
Growth rate
Fast
Botanical name
Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred'
Shipping exclusions
AZ
Grows Well In Zones
3-8
Growing Zones: 3-8 i
Growing zones help determine if a particular plant is likely to grow well in a location. It identifies the average annual minimum winter temperatures across the U.S. provided as a map by the USDA.
tree
Just now coming back
