Why Plant Firefall Freeman Maple?
Cooling shade in summer, blazing leaves in autumn, and a fast growth rate! Firefall Freeman Maple gives you everything you want in a shade tree. You'll be relaxing under its leafy canopy in no time. Plant one tree to shade your patio, or plant a pair to hold a hammock in the not-too-distant future. This tough performer also makes a mighty fine street or parking lot tree. Firefall Maple is a cross between our glorious native Red Maple and our fast-growing native Silver Maple. Born and bred in Minnesota, it is better suited to northern climates than other Maples of its type.
The Freeman Maple is a Red Maple-Silver Maple hybrid that was first produced in 1933 at the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. These hybrids boast the best qualities of each of their parents - the red fall color and strong branching of the Red Maple and the fast growth and alley-cat toughness of the Silver Maple. However, many Freeman Maples proved to be less than ideal for the Upper Midwest. Plant breeders at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum gave cold-climate homeowners a smart new option when they developed Firefall Freeman Maple in the 1990s. Its wood hardens off (prepares for winter) earlier than other selections, making it perfect for the North.
How to use Firefall Freeman Maple in the landscape?
Fantastic foliage! Firefall's mother was a Silver Maple named 'Beebe' with unusually lacy leaves. Her influence can be seen along with the father's. Firefall Maple displays an interesting mix of foliage types, from fine and ruffly like 'Beebe' to more classically Maple-shaped like the male parent, 'Autumn Spire' Red Maple. Firefall consistently turns a rich red in autumn. The color is more intense than that of other Freeman selections; the tree may easily be mistaken for a Red Maple.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zones: 3-8
How To Plant Firefall Freeman Maple
They don't get much more carefree than the Firefall Hybrid Maple Tree. This simple-to-grow tree will get right to business making shade for your picnic table or patio, while putting few demands on your busy life. Just give your tree a sunny, open space in which to grow, keep it watered with the easy-to-use Elements™ Watering System, feed it with our Elements™ Fertilizer, and stand back! Young Hybrid Maples have been known to put on as much as three feet of growth per year when cared for in this way. Pests and diseases are of no concern with this one, either.
How To Water
Red Maples will appreciate regular water during its first few years in the ground and irrigation during long dry spells after it’s established.
How To Fertilize
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer, start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant food granular form on an annual basis each late fall. Continue this for the first three years to get your plant well established.
How To Prune
Red Maples in general don’t need a lot of attention when it comes to pruning as it is in their nature to grow in the pyramidal shape.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
