Freeman maple
Acer freemanii · Sapindaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around freeman maple and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Blooming
- April to May, inconspicuous reddish flowers
- Adult size
- 15 m in height, spreading and rounded habit
- Growth
- Fast to moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -25 °C
- Origin
- North America (natural hybrid)
- Soil type
- Well-drained soils, tolerating moderate moisture
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Freeman maple is vigorous but appreciates rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly for the first three years to establish strong roots.
The common mistake
Planting in compact or compacted soil: growth is slowed by half.
The pro's trick
Loosen the soil well at planting (30 cm deep) and mix in compost: you'll see the difference by year 2.
Care
Exposure
Freeman maple prefers full sun for beautiful development and vibrant fall coloration. However, it tolerates partial shade, though growth will be less vigorous. Plant it in a sheltered location away from strong winds that could damage its branches.
Watering
After planting, water regularly during the first year to ensure good rooting. Once established, natural rainfall is usually sufficient, except during prolonged drought. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
Soil and planting
Freeman maple adapts to most well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic soils. Enrich the planting hole with compost. Plant in fall or early spring for better establishment.
Pruning and maintenance
No real pruning is necessary. Simply remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches in late winter. Avoid severe pruning that weakens the tree.
Fertilizing
An annual application of well-decomposed compost at the base in fall is quite sufficient. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers that could promote excessively rapid growth at the expense of structural strength.
Diseases and pests
Freeman maple is generally robust. Watch for anthracnose (leaf spots) in case of excessive moisture, and aphids in spring. Good air circulation limits fungal problems.
Did you know?
Freeman maple is a natural hybrid discovered in Pennsylvania, resulting from the cross between silver maple and red maple. It combines the vigor of the former with the beautiful fall coloration of the latter, making it an excellent choice for modern landscape designs in temperate zones.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Japanese mapleAcer palmatum
- Sycamore mapleAcer pseudoplatanus
- Norway mapleAcer platanoides
- Field mapleAcer campestre
- Marronnier dindeAesculus hippocastanum
- Box elderAcer negundo
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.