Acer x freemanii

Freeman's Maple

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Description

Acer × freemanii (Freeman's maple) is a naturally occurring hybrid tree species, created from a cross between Acer rubrum (red maple) and Acer saccharinum (silver maple). The species occurs in eastern North America, where both parents grow in overlapping areas. The name ‘freemanii’ honors Oliver M. Freeman of the U.S. National Arboretum, who achieved the first controlled cross in 1933. Acer × freemanii can reach a height of twelve to fifteen meters when mature and grows to a width of eight to twelve meters, depending on its location. The crown develops from a narrow, upright silhouette in its youth to an oval to broad crown shape as it ages.

The foliage of Acer × freemanii consists of opposite, palmate, five-lobed leaves, which are intermediate in shape between those of the parent species and emerge reddish in spring. The upper side is green, the underside gray-green. In autumn, the leaves often change color spectacularly to varying shades of orange-red to scarlet. The flowers appear in early spring and are relatively inconspicuous. The fruits are known as winged samaras, typical of maple trees. The bark is initially smooth and silver-gray, later becoming coarse with vertical grooves. The twigs are sturdy and well-branched, but due to vigorous growth and sharp branch angles, there is a risk of ingrowing branches.

Acer × freemanii is often used as a tree for avenues or streets in urban environments and is also popular as a shade tree for parks or green areas. The hybrid combines the fast growth, tolerance for calcareous soils, and temporary drought resistance of the silver maple with the stronger branch structure and fantastic autumn color of the red maple, making it particularly suitable for challenging locations. The tree is not demanding in terms of soil: it tolerates both moist and moderately dry, well-drained soils and can thrive in full sun to light partial shade.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees feathered trees multi-stemmed trees climate trees shade trees

Use

Location

street avenue square park central reservation in containers roof garden large garden cemetery traffic areas, industrial zones countryside

Pavement

none

open

sealed

Planting concepts

climate planting urban planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

ovoid

Crown structure

semi-open

Height

12 - 15 m

Width

8 - 12 m

Winter hardiness zone

4A - 9B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay peaty light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist wet

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

acidic neutral

Host plant/forage plant

bees

Extreme environments

tolerant to dryness tolerates air pollution tolerates heat

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Photos

Magnify

multi-stem

leaves

autumn leaves

bark

Flowers

corymbose striking

Flower colour

orange-red

Flowering period

March - April

Leaves

Leaf colour

buds orange-red green underside grey-green

Leaves

deciduous palmate big opposite laciniate serrate

Autumn colour

yellow orange red

Fruits

no fruit

Bark

Bark colour

red-brown grey

Bark

furrowed

Twigs

Twig colour

red-brown

Twigs

bare

Root system

deep shallow slightly branched fine roots

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

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