Maples: Navigating the Varieties

Who doesn’t love maples? The large leaves create great shade, they have a clean form, and most species have beautiful fall color, but there are so many species, cross breeds, and cultivars. It’s a big task to sort through all the maples on the market and figure out what maple tree will suit your needs. This small guide will go over the common maple species in production and the cultivars that Paul Swartz Nursery carries.

Sugar Maple – Wisconsin Native

  • General Attributes
    • Sugar maples will often grow to be between 60-75’ tall. Sugar maples have a slow growth rate and a dense rounded form. These trees are often prized for their fall color, a mix of yellows and oranges. The leaves have a shallower lobe compared to the other varieties listed. It prefers moist, well-draining soils and is susceptible to salt damage.
  • Cultivars
    • ‘Autumn Fest’
      • Size: 50-55’ tall x 35-40’ wide
      • Fall Color: Orange/red
      • Soil: Moist, well-draining soil
    • ‘Commemoration’
      • Size: 50-55’ tall x 35-40’ wide
      • Fall Color: Burnt orange
      • Soil: Moist, rich soils
    • ‘Fall Fiesta’
      • Size: 45-50’ tall x 35-40’ wide
      • Fall Color: Red, yellow, orange
      • Soil: Moist, well-draining soil. Will not tolerate compaction

Red Maple – Wisconsin Native

  • General Attributes
    • Red maples have a wide range in the United States. They are hardy zones 3-9, with the exception of southern grown red maples not being hardy in northern climates. Red maples have a rounded form and can grow to be upwards of 50’ tall. Red maples prefer moist sites with low pH soils. High pH can lead to chlorotic leaves.
  • Cultivars
    • ‘Red Pointe’
      • Size: 45-50’ tall x 30-35’ wide, pyramidal form
      • Fall Color: Red
      • Soil: Adaptable to most soil conditions
    • ‘Karpick’
      • Size: 40-50’ tall x 20-25’ wide, columnar form
      • Fall Color: Red/orange
      • Soil: Moist, acidic, well-draining soil
    • ‘Bowhall’
      • Size: 40-45’ tall x 15-20’ wide, columnar form
      • Fall Color: Red/orange
      • Soil: Moist, acidic, well-draining soil
    • ‘Autumn Spire’
      • Size: 45-50’ tall x 30-35’ wide
      • Fall Color: Red
      • Soil: Moist, well-draining soil. Adaptable to most soil conditions

Norway Maple

  • General Attributes
    • Norway maples can grow upwards of 50’ tall and equally wide. They have a rounded/oval form with very dense foliage. The leaves are wider compared to most maple varieties, and they produce a milky sap when broken. Norway maples can adapt to most soil conditions, including clay, and can even tolerate shade. These trees have a slow to moderate growth rate.
  • Cultivars
    • ‘Emerald Lustre’
      • Size: 50-60’ tall and wide
      • Fall Color: Golden yellow
      • Soil: Average, well-draining soil
    • ‘Deborah’
      • Size: 40-50’ tall and wide
      • Fall Color: Yellow
      • Soil: Adaptable to most soil conditions
      • New growth in spring emerges burgundy red and matures to green
    • ‘Crimson King’
      • Size: 35-40’ tall x 25-30’ wide
      • Fall Color: Red
      • Soil: Average, well-draining soil
      • Red foliage all growing season, slow growing
    • ‘Royal Red’
      • Size: 35-40’ tall x 20-25’ Wide
      • Fall Color: Yellow/brown
      • Soil: Average, well-draining soil
      • Red foliage all growing season, slow growing

Freeman Maple – Hybrid of Wisconsin Natives

  • General Attributes
    • Freeman maples are a hybrid between a red maple and a silver maple. This hybridization resulted in cultivars having the stronger form of a red maple but the quick growth rate of a silver maple. They can tolerate just about any soil condition, including clay, making them perfect for sites with less-than-ideal soil. These trees can grow up to 60’ tall and they have a quick growth rate.
  • Cultivars
    • ‘Autumn Blaze’
      • Size: 50-55’ tall x 40-45’ wide
      • Fall Color: Bright red
      • Soil: Adaptable to most soil types and conditions
    • ‘Autumn Fantasy’
      • Size: 50-55’ tall x 40-45’ wide
      • Fall Color: Red/orange
      • Soil: Average, well-draining soil. Adaptable to most soil conditions
    • ‘Celebration’
      • Size: 45-50’ tall x 20-25’ wide
      • Fall Color: Red and gold
      • Soil: Adaptable to most soil types and conditions
    • ‘Marmo’
      • Size: 50-60’ tall x 40-45’ wide
      • Fall Color: Burgundy red/yellow
      • Soil: Acidic, moist, well-draining soil
      • Seedless variety
    • ‘Sienna Glen’
      • Size: 40-50’ tall x 30-40’ wide
      • Fall Color: Orange/yellow to burgundy red
      • Soil: Adaptable to most soil types and conditions
      • Has fewer or no seeds, very fast growth rate

Miyabei Maple

  • General Attributes
    • Rounded tree growing 30-40’ tall. Found in Japan, this tree is hardy up to zone 4 and prefers moist, well-draining soils. It has grey bark with deep ridges in strips.
  • Cultivars
    • ‘State Street’
      • One of the only true Acer miyabei cultivars on the market is ‘State Street’. It grows to be about 40’ tall by 25’ wide. The foliage holds its green color late into the fall then turns yellow.

Paul Swartz Nursery carries a wide selection of maples fit for various sites. Ready to add a maple to your yard? Call us today!