Red Sunset® Maple Tree
Description
About Red Sunset® Maple Trees (Acer rubrum ‘Franksred’)
The Red Sunset® Maple Tree is one of the most popular red maple cultivars in North America—and for good reason. Known for its vibrant red and orange fall foliage, this tree offers a breathtaking seasonal display that starts weeks earlier than most other maples. In spring, even its emerging leaves and flowers carry a soft red hue, adding multi-season visual interest.
A standout in both residential and urban landscapes, this tree is a fast-growing, cold-hardy shade tree that matures gracefully. With its symmetrical branching, glossy green summer foliage, and striking red-orange autumn canopy, it delivers both form and function.
Why You’ll Love the Red Sunset® Maple
- Brilliant fall color: Turns fiery red to orange in early fall, weeks ahead of other maples
- Quick growth: Grows up to 1–2 feet per year, faster than Sugar Maple
- Hardy and adaptable: Thrives in USDA Zones 3–8 and tolerates a variety of soil types
- Beautiful structure: Upright, rounded canopy makes it ideal for streets, lawns, or park spaces
- Low maintenance: Easy to care for with minimal pruning; no fruit drop to manage
- Native hardwood species: Supports local ecosystems and adds long-term value
Red Sunset® Maple Tree Growing & Care Guide
- Mature Size: 45–50 feet tall × 35–40 feet wide
- Recommended Spacing: 35–40 feet apart
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained loamy soil
- Watering: Keep evenly moist, especially during establishment
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast (up to 2 feet/year)
- Cold-Hardy Zones: 3–8
- Pruning: Prune in late winter to maintain structure and remove dead or crowded branches
Red Sunset® Maple Tree Syrup & Woodworking Facts
While not as sweet as the Sugar Maple, Red Sunset can be tapped for a small amount of maple syrup. Its wood—classified as soft maple—is still quite durable and valued in furniture-making, cabinetry, and musical instruments.
Where to Plant Red Sunset® Maple Trees
- Ideal for home landscapes, shade tree lines, boulevards, and public parks
- Use as a specimen tree or group for a vibrant fall focal point
- Fast growth and manageable size make it great for new homeowners and urban settings
Plant a Red Sunset® Maple Tree and enjoy cool summer shade and spectacular fall color for generations to come. Whether you’re designing a landscape or adding autumn brilliance to your backyard, this tree delivers.
Characteristics
| Bloom Color | Red, Yellow |
| Hardiness Zone Range | 3 - 8 |
| Shade/Sun | Partial Shade - Full Sun |
| Soil Composition | Loamy |
| Soil Moisture | Well Drained |
| Soil pH Level | 4.5 - 6.5 |
Zone Compatibility
Tools & Supplies
Planting & Care
Learn all about how to grow shade trees in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.
Questions & Answers
Sorry, I was thinking of the wrong tree. These Red Sunsets do not grow fast. A foot or 2 a year max. They are beautiful though.
The similar type tree I have is still pretty young, but the roots were low from the start and remain so. I have an older maple and haven't noticed any top soil level root visibility.
The Red Sunset® Maple that Stark Bro’s sells is monoecious as it produces small red and yellow flowers in spring, medium-to-dark green leaves in summer, and spectacular fire-engine red foliage in autumn. The male flower is the yellowish flower. This tree will indeed produce two-winged samaras (helicopter seed pods).
Much will depend on the amount of sun, food and water it receives, how much stress the tree may be under from the weather, pests/disease or lack of nutrients. That said, on average, a red maple should add 1-2 of height per year, meaning it will reach its full height somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 years or so.
If you're asking if Red Sunset is an acer rubrum, yes it is. Red Sunset and October Glory are both excellent cultivars, especially in southern zones.
Many people mistakenly believe that only sugar maples can produce syrup; not so. Red maples can, too. They have a little less sugar content. but have a slightly nutty flavor and a rich, dark color.
Mine has doubled in size since spring 2017. If deer are around I suggest you
Fence off to protect from deer. They like the buds.
Im sorry you will need to refraise this question I do not understand what your asking, Thank you.
Sunset maple tree produce syrup?
It does, but not as much and not as sweet as a sugar maple.
Oh yes. We live in zone 4 in the extreme northwest corner of Illinois; might as well be Wisconsin. The colors are brilliant and it is a steady grower. Slower growing trees live longer, too. I had two of these; one on each side of a large driveway. In the fall they were the first to turn colors and I loved them. So I planted a couple on our property now and they are thriving. No pests at all. I like to plant flowerbeds at the base with native plants that also attract beneficial insects. As a master gardener, I only choose the best trees for my property. Enjoy your tree! W
Customer Reviews
Thanks guys, youre the best??
curb appeal
Got no red maple on my land
Looking for a beautiful fast-growing shade tree for lot where we tore down a house.
Hoping it survives the Alaska winter.