Tilford Red Maple – Acer rubrum ‘Tilford’
Cultural Requirements: Prefers full sun; grows in a wide range of soil conditions; pH adaptable and drought tolerant.
Outstanding red foliage in fall. Tree lives about 70 years. Reliably rounded, smaller form with dense crown and deep shade. Red Maple is easily transplanted and usually develops surface roots in soil ranging from well-drained sand to clay. It is not especially drought-tolerant, particularly in the southern part of the range, but selected individual trees can be found growing on dry sites.
Tilford red maple was started from seed 50 years ago
This trait shows the wide range of genetic diversity in the species. Branches often grow upright through the crown forming poor attachments to the trunk. These should be removed in the nursery or after planting in the landscape to help prevent branch failure in older trees during storms.
References:
1. Tilford Red Maple, Morton Arboretum acc. 588-58*1, photos by Bruce Marlin
2. The Morton Arboretum, “Red Maple”
3. USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. (GRIN) “Acer barbinerve Maxim.”
North American Insects & Spiders
Online since 2002
