Red Sunset® Maple Tree

Red Sunset® Maple is one of the most celebrated red maple cultivars in North America — and the fall color display it delivers is simply stunning. While most maples wait until mid-to-late fall to turn, Red Sunset® begins its transformation weeks earlier, erupting into a brilliant fiery red and orange canopy that makes it one of the most eye-catching trees on any street or lawn. Cold hardy to Zone 3, fast-growing, and low maintenance, it’s a tree that earns its place in the landscape for generations. (Acer rubrum ‘Franksred’)

Early, Fiery Fall Color — Weeks Ahead of Other Maples

The timing is what sets Red Sunset® apart. Its fall color arrives earlier than most other maple varieties, meaning your tree turns brilliant red and orange while neighbors' maples are still green. The show starts in early fall and builds into a full, vibrant canopy of fiery color that’s genuinely spectacular. Even in spring, the emerging leaves and flowers carry a soft red hue, giving the tree multi-season visual interest beyond the autumn peak.

Beautiful Structure, Year-Round Appeal

Red Sunset® develops a naturally symmetrical, upright rounded canopy with glossy green summer foliage that provides excellent cooling shade. The graceful branching structure is attractive even in winter, and the tree’s manageable size makes it well-suited for home landscapes, street plantings, and suburban yards where a large but not overwhelming shade tree is needed.

A Native Hardwood With Added Benefits

Red Sunset® is a red maple cultivar — a native American hardwood that supports local ecosystems and provides habitat for wildlife. Its wood is classified as soft maple but is still quite durable, valued in furniture-making, cabinetry, and musical instrument manufacturing. It can also be tapped for a small amount of maple syrup, though not as sweet as Sugar Maple.

Why Growers Choose Red Sunset® Maple

• Earlier fall color than most maples — fiery red-orange display arrives weeks ahead of other varieties
• Soft red spring hue — emerging leaves and flowers add color from the very start of the season
• Symmetrical, upright rounded canopy — naturally attractive structure with minimal pruning
• Fast-growing shade tree — up to 1–2 feet per year for meaningful shade in a reasonable timeframe
• Cold hardy to Zone 3 — proven performance in challenging northern climates
• Native hardwood — supports local ecosystems and long-term landscape value