Description: A popular hybrid of the silver and red maples combining the best attributes of both; stunning fall colors, excellent habit of growth, tolerant of conditions, fast growing; an excellent alternative for locations where a red maple may not grow Ornamental Features: Autumn Blaze Maple has green foliage throughout the season. The lobed leaves turn an outstanding red in the fall. It features showy red flowers along the branches in early spring before the leaves. The fruit is not ornamentally significant. The furrowed gray bark and brick red branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape. Landscape Attributes: Autumn Blaze Maple is a deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned in summer after the leaves have fully developed, as it may 'bleed' sap if pruned in late winter or early spring. It has no significant negative characteristics. Autumn Blaze Maple is recommended for the following landscape applications; Shade Accent Plant Characteristics: Autumn Blaze Maple will grow to be about 50 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 40 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 8 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 80 years or more. This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments.