Description
Acer x freemanii ‘Autumn Fantasy’ ®, commonly known as Autumn Fantasy Red Maple, is a hybrid cultivar resulting from the cross between the native Acer rubrum (Red Maple) and Acer saccharinum (Silver Maple). This vigorous deciduous tree is prized for its rapid growth, reaching heights of 40 to 60 feet with a broad, rounded crown, making it an excellent shade tree for landscapes. One of its most distinctive features is its brilliant fall foliage, which displays a stunning array of fiery red, orange, and scarlet hues, providing vibrant autumn color that outperforms many other maples. The leaves are typically larger than those of the native Red Maple, contributing to its impressive visual impact. ‘Autumn Fantasy’ is also valued for its adaptability to various soil types and urban conditions, showing strong resistance to common maple diseases and pests. Developed in the United States, this cultivar combines the hardiness and fall color intensity of Red Maple with the growth vigor of Silver Maple, making it a popular choice for both residential and commercial landscapes. Its patented status reflects its unique, consistently superior qualities in growth habit and foliage coloration.