Autumn Red Canadian Maple (Acer rubrum 'Autumn Red') is a striking deciduous shade tree renowned for its spectacular autumn display of brilliant orange-red to deep crimson foliage. Native to eastern North America through its species, this selected cultivar develops an upright, rounded canopy that provides welcome summer shade before delivering outstanding seasonal colour. Young branches, flowers and winged seeds are also attractively tinged red, making it an exceptional feature, avenue or parkland tree for temperate climates.
Need help? Visit our care & planting instructions and autumn foliage guide for practical advice.
- Flowers: Small red flowers appearing in late winter to early spring (August–September), before or with the emerging foliage
- Size: About 12–15 m high × 9–10 m wide depending on growing conditions
- Uses: Feature tree, avenue planting, shade tree, parks, large gardens, autumn colour
- Attributes: Hardy, long-lived, reliable, adaptable to a wide range of soils, tolerates moist conditions (well-drained) and short periods of dryness once established
- Features: Green leaves turn brilliant red in autumn; attractive red small flowers, twigs and winged seeds (samaras); rounded canopy; deciduous
- Caution: Wilted or dried leaves are highly toxic to horses. Avoid planting where horses can access fallen foliage.
- Also known as: Red Maple; Canadian Maple; Canadian Maple Tree; sometimes sold as ‘October Glory' or 'April Splendour'
Keep your collection labelled. Add a durable engraved plant label to your order, and order extra labels for existing plants so every tree in your collection stays correctly named.
References include:
Australian Broadcasting Corporation. (2024). Plan for Pizazz. Gardening Australia.
Speciality Trees. (n.d.). Acer rubrum 'Autumn Red' (Canadian Maple Tree).
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (accessed 10/7/2026)
Image 1 (accessed 6/5/2021)
Image 2: Copyright Heritage Fruit Trees - autumn foliage
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