Freeman Maple
Acer × freemanii
A natural and nursery hybrid of red and silver maple combining red maple's strength and color with silver maple's speed and adaptability. Popular seedless cultivars like 'Autumn Blaze' give fast shade and brilliant fall color, but vigorous growth often forms weak codominant unions that need early structural pruning.
Field reference
Family
Sapindaceae
Growth rate
Fast
Mature size
40–60 ft tall, 30–40 ft spread
Hardiness zone
3–8
Soil preference
Wide range — moist, well-drained to wet soils; more adaptable than either parent
Sun
Full sun
Pruning window
Summer or late dormant; avoid heavy spring sap bleed
Wood properties
Hybrid of red and silver maple — stronger and better-structured than silver maple but still moderate-density (~0.47 SG) wood. Watch for codominant stems and included bark from fast growth.
Native range
Hybrid (Acer rubrum × Acer saccharinum); cultivars planted across North America
Green weight
47 lb/ft³
Pests & diseases to watch
Asian Longhorned Beetlepest · Severe severity · peak Adults active and emerging July through OctoberAnthracnosefungus · Moderate severity · peak Spring, during cool, wet, rainy weather at and just after leaf-outVerticillium Wiltfungus · High severity · peak Symptoms appear in summer, often after heat or drought stress (June–September)Aphidspest · Low severity · peak Populations build in spring and early summer, with flushes through the seasonCankerworm (Inchworm)pest · Moderate severity · peak Larvae feed and defoliate in spring (April–May) as leaves expand
Common questions
Why does 'Autumn Blaze' maple split apart in storms?
Its rapid growth and tendency to form tight, codominant stems with included bark create weak unions that fail under wind, ice, or snow load. Structural pruning in the first 10–15 years to establish a dominant leader greatly reduces the risk.
Is Freeman maple seedless?
Many named cultivars (such as 'Autumn Blaze') are largely seedless or low-seed, which is part of their appeal. Seedling or wild Freeman maples can still produce the familiar maple samaras.
Related species in Sapindaceae
Tree Nerd Academy
Ready to sit the ISA Certified Arborist exam?
Video curriculum, flashcards, and exam-sim built by working arborists.