Acer rubrum ‘Franksred’ | RED SUNSET

We’ll focus on Acer rubrum ‘Franksred,’ a synonym for Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset.’ This beautifully upright tree has a narrow, pyramidal crown when young; later, the crown becomes noticeably wider and more egg-shaped. The even crown development is a reliable characteristic of this cultivar. The tree’s final height is 10 to 12 meters; in a favorable location, it may grow several meters taller. The tree is well-suited for planting along a (wider) street, in a green belt, or in a park.

In the spring, before the leaves emerge, red flowers appear in small clusters; the fruit that develops later consists of winged nuts (in pairs). The glossy green leaves with red petioles are likely the tree’s greatest ornamental feature. In the fall, the tree displays a beautiful orange-red fall color. The leaves remain on the tree for a relatively long time in the fall, which is why the beautiful fall color often does not appear until November.

This cultivar was introduced to the market in 1966 by the J. Frank Schmidt Nursery in the state of Oregon in the United States. The tree was originally developed in the 1940s by J. Frank Schmidt, Jr. It is a high-quality American selection that makes a fine addition to the range of trees used in public spaces.

Location of photos: Sint-Oedenrode and our nursery