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Acer Rubrum | Red Maple
Acer Rubrum | Red Maple

Acer Rubrum | Red Maple

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SKU: TR30000854
bare root | 1.2m tall
£49.99
Available to order from autumn
9 litre pot | 1.2 - 1.5m tall
£79.99
Available to order from summer
1

Pot size guide

Delivery options

Standard £5.99

Overview

The most abundant tree in North America

If you want the amazing American autumn hues in your garden, this tree is for you. Unbeknown to many, rubrum produces red flowers, which will eventually turn into samaras. With a pleasing spreading habit, rubrum stands out among the best landscape trees. Mature specimens produce sap, which can be turned into syrup.

Variety Information

  • Habit: Spreading
  • Foliage Colour: Green / Red
  • Features: Autumn Colour

Specifications

  • Supplied As: 9L Pot
  • Height on Arrival: 120-150cm (4-5 ft)
  • Age: 2 Years with 4 year Rootstock
  • Eventual Height & Spread: 12m x 10m (36 x 30ft)

Eventual height & spread

Eventual height and spread

Care guide

Bare root and containerised trees have differing planting requirements, detailed below:

  • Watering: Bare root trees should have their roots soaked in water for up to 2 hours before planting, while with containerised trees, it is important to drench their root ball before planting.
  • Pruning: Another difference is that for bare root trees, it is useful to prune their woody roots back a few inches. However, for containerised trees, you should free any spiralized roots growing around their rootball's circumference.
  • Planting: With bare root trees, you should dig a hole to enable the graft point to be above the soil, while with containerised trees, the pot should sit no lower than an inch below the ground.
Bare root and containerised trees also share planting requirements, detailed below:

  • With both, you should dig a hole that is twice the radius of their rootball. Stake your trees no more than 2 - 3 inches from the stem, and make sure that they are pointing away from the prevailing wind.
  • Fill the planting hole with a mix of compost and garden soil, finishing with fertiliser and mycorrhizal fungi. Take care to not compress the soil.
  • Once you are happy with your efforts, give your tree a generous watering.
  • Add mulch on top (this can be bark and wood chippings, compost, manure, leaf-mould, and stones), and ensure that these do not touch the stem of the tree.
  • Tie the stake to your tree (and leave space for growth), and place a rabbit guard around your tree to protect it from harmful pests.
  • Apply fertiliser and replace decomposed mulch come spring. In autumn, remove fallen leaves to prevent the risk of disease. You should also make sure that the ties are not rubbing your tree.

Advice on hot and droopy plants

If your plants are looking a little wilted right now, don't worry! Plants like to be filled with water to keep their structure, and when it's hot that water evaporates.

Just give them an off-schedule watering and they'll be right as rain in no time! Be careful not to flood them - plants don't like extremes.

Planting requirements

Maple trees are easy to grow. Their growth and output will likely be excellent providing you follow our planting and care instructions. Below we address some common query topics:

  • Hardiness: Maple trees can be found growing throughout temperate regions of the world, and are therefore well adapted to the UK climate.
  • Position: Japanese maples are suited to dappled shade, while red and Norwegian maples prefer full sun. Also planting your tree in a sheltered spot will help prevent uprooting in strong winds.
  • Soil: Soil types can be an unwelcome confusion as many plants will adapt to their conditions. Nonetheless, less than ideal conditions will certainly limit your Maple's growth. Waterlogged soils will starve your tree of oxygen, which plays a key role in photosynthesis; causing its roots to rot and creating an optimal environment for disease. Similarly, compressed soils can starve it of oxygen and water, so do not compress the soil when planting.
    • Pots: Japanese maples are perfect for pots and will benefit from mildly acidic soil. Potting with a mix of ericaceous compost and garden soil will produce a slightly acidic pH and a better soil structure overall. You may find that the pH rises over time, but you can maintain the acidity by watering with rainwater, and using pine needles and conifer bark as mulch. Larger species of Maple will still suffice in pots, but their growth will be restricted. However, this can be of benefit as they can grow to quite a large size.

How your order will arrive

Pots and Packaging
Larger pots (2L and above) are wrapped in waxed paper and then attached to a cardboard base so they stay stable in the box. The waxed paper prevents the compost from spilling out and gives the base some added protection from damp compost. For large numbers of plants, pallets may be used for shipping.

Preparation
The nursery will ensure the plant is moist while it's waiting to be picked up. Our quality control team waters the plant before packing them where necessary to make sure that the plant is suitably watered for transport. Plants with long delicate stems are secured with canes to prevent damage.

Plant on Arrival
Typically plants are delivered ready to plant and will take some time to settle, grow and look more like the product image above.

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About Primrose

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If you'd like to find out more, check out our 'About Us' page.

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