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Autumn Blaze Maple Aftercare in the Pacific Northwest

Autumn Blaze Maple

Autumn Blaze Maple tree, Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred', mature specimen — species reference for Pacific Arboriculture homeowners in Auburn and the south Puget Sound.
Autumn Blaze Maple (Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred'). Photo: Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acer_x_freemanii_Autumn_Blaze_4zz.jpg
Acer x freemanii ‘Jeffersred’
  • Spectacular orange-red fall color that develops earlier than most maples
  • Fast-growing shade tree — typically gains 3 ft per year in young plantings
  • Strong central leader and balanced canopy with low maintenance demands
  • Tolerates a wider range of soils than either parent species

Autumn Blaze is a hybrid between Red Maple and Silver Maple bred for the best traits of both: the brilliant fall color of Red Maple combined with the fast growth and adaptability of Silver Maple. The result is a shade tree that establishes quickly, throws a balanced rounded canopy, and lights up in October with reliable orange-red color across the south Puget Sound. It tolerates clay soils better than most ornamental maples.

Planting and Care

  1. Planting. Plant in full sun with well-drained soil. Autumn Blaze tolerates a wide pH range and handles compacted clay better than most ornamental maples — useful in newer south Puget Sound subdivisions. Dig a hole twice as wide as the rootball, set the trunk flare at or slightly above grade, backfill with native soil, water in deeply, and mulch.
  2. Watering. Deep, infrequent watering once a week through the first two growing seasons. Once established, Autumn Blaze is moderately drought-tolerant but performs best with supplemental irrigation through the south Puget Sound’s late-summer dry stretch.
  3. Fertilizing. No fertilizer in year one. From year two, a single application of slow-release balanced fertilizer in early spring is sufficient if growth is slow or foliage color is dull. Most established trees in average soil need no fertilization at all.
  4. Pruning. Prune in late summer or fall to avoid heavy spring sap bleeding. Establish a strong central leader early and remove competing co-dominant stems within the first 5 years — Autumn Blaze can develop weak forks if structural pruning is neglected.

Autumn Blaze is one of the few shade-grade maples that handles compacted clay soils common across newer Auburn, Bonney Lake, and Lake Tapps developments. Site away from sidewalks and driveways — the shallow root system can lift hardscape over time.

Need a Pacific Arboriculture ISA Certified Arborist to look at the autumn blaze maple on the property?
Call (206) 909-2170 or request a free quote — Pacific Arboriculture provides residential and commercial tree services across Auburn, Kent, Renton, Tacoma, Federal Way, Puyallup, Sumner, Bonney Lake, Maple Valley, and the wider south Puget Sound.

Return to Maples aftercare.

Autumn Blaze Maple Specs

Mature Height40–55 ft
Mature Width30–40 ft
SunlightFull Sun
Growth RateFast
Botanical NameAcer × freemanii ‘Jeffersred’
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