Acer rubrum 'Brandywine'
The Brandywine Maple is a vibrant, fast-growing shade tree celebrated for its spectacular fall foliage and symmetrical, oval-shaped canopy. This bare root variety is a standout cultivar of the native red maple, delivering brilliant red-to-purple autumn color and refined beauty all year long.
Known for its seedless habit, strong central leader, and uniform growth, the Brandywine Maple is a favorite for residential landscapes, street plantings, and large yards where fall color is king. It's low-maintenance, adaptable, and an all-around landscape hero.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌱 Variety | Rooted |
| 🌿 Botanical Name | Acer rubrum ‘Brandywine’ |
| 🏷️ Common Names | Brandywine Maple, Seedless Red Maple |
| 🌳 Mature Height | 35–50 feet |
| 🌐 Mature Width | 25–35 feet |
| 📈 Growth Rate | Moderate to fast (1.5–2.5 feet per year) |
| ⏳ Lifespan | 50–100 years |
| 🧊 USDA Zones | 4–9 |
| ☀️ Sun Preference | Full sun to partial shade (best fall color in full sun) |
| 🧱 Soil Type | Moist, well-drained loam, clay, or sandy soils |
| ⚖️ Soil pH | Acidic to slightly neutral (5.0–6.5) |
| 💧 Water Needs | Moderate; appreciates consistent moisture |
| 🍃 Foliage Color | Medium green in spring/summer; red to deep purple in fall |
| 🌸 Flower/Berry Production | Seedless – no messy helicopters |
| 🐝 Wildlife Attraction | Pollinators, birds, native insects |
| 🌿 Growth Habit | Upright, symmetrical, oval canopy |
| 🌸 Self-Pollinating? | Yes |
| ↔️ Spacing | 25–35 ft for standalone; 40+ ft between shade trees |
| 🏡 Landscape Uses | Shade tree, street tree, front yard centerpiece |
| 🧹 Maintenance Level | Low |
🍁 Provides dense shade that reduces energy costs in summer
🌍 Contributes to air purification and erosion control
🐦 Attracts pollinators and birds without dropping seeds or pods
🌳 Grows quickly and cleanly, ideal for urban and suburban planting
| ✅ Pros | ⚠️ Cons |
|---|---|
| 🍂 Exceptional fall color in red to deep purple | 🍁 Fall leaf drop requires cleanup in tight areas |
| 🌿 Seedless – no helicopter seeds to sweep up | 📏 May outgrow small yards if not planned properly |
| 🏡 Excellent shade and street tree with symmetrical form | 🧪 Prefers slightly acidic soil; may struggle in high pH environments |
| 🌞 Tolerates a variety of soils and climates | 🌬️ Young trees may need staking in windy locations |
| 🌳 Native red maple hybrid with stronger structure | 💧 Needs consistent moisture when newly planted |
🛁 Soak roots for 6–12 hours before planting
🕳️ Dig a hole 2× wider than the root spread; keep crown level with soil line
🌾 Apply 2–3 inches of mulch around the base to retain moisture
💦 Water weekly during the first growing season; adjust with rainfall
✂️ Prune in late winter to remove dead or crowded limbs
🧪 Fertilize in spring with a tree-safe balanced blend if needed
The Brandywine Maple is a bold, dependable shade tree with breathtaking color and clean growth. Whether anchoring a front yard, lining a drive, or casting cool shade over a backyard, it offers form, function, and fall firepower all in one hardy package.
Acer rubrum 'Brandywine'
The Brandywine Maple is a vibrant, fast-growing shade tree celebrated for its spectacular fall foliage and symmetrical, oval-shaped canopy. This bare root variety is a standout cultivar of the native red maple, delivering brilliant red-to-purple autumn color and refined beauty all year long.
Known for its seedless habit, strong central leader, and uniform growth, the Brandywine Maple is a favorite for residential landscapes, street plantings, and large yards where fall color is king. It's low-maintenance, adaptable, and an all-around landscape hero.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌱 Variety | Rooted |
| 🌿 Botanical Name | Acer rubrum ‘Brandywine’ |
| 🏷️ Common Names | Brandywine Maple, Seedless Red Maple |
| 🌳 Mature Height | 35–50 feet |
| 🌐 Mature Width | 25–35 feet |
| 📈 Growth Rate | Moderate to fast (1.5–2.5 feet per year) |
| ⏳ Lifespan | 50–100 years |
| 🧊 USDA Zones | 4–9 |
| ☀️ Sun Preference | Full sun to partial shade (best fall color in full sun) |
| 🧱 Soil Type | Moist, well-drained loam, clay, or sandy soils |
| ⚖️ Soil pH | Acidic to slightly neutral (5.0–6.5) |
| 💧 Water Needs | Moderate; appreciates consistent moisture |
| 🍃 Foliage Color | Medium green in spring/summer; red to deep purple in fall |
| 🌸 Flower/Berry Production | Seedless – no messy helicopters |
| 🐝 Wildlife Attraction | Pollinators, birds, native insects |
| 🌿 Growth Habit | Upright, symmetrical, oval canopy |
| 🌸 Self-Pollinating? | Yes |
| ↔️ Spacing | 25–35 ft for standalone; 40+ ft between shade trees |
| 🏡 Landscape Uses | Shade tree, street tree, front yard centerpiece |
| 🧹 Maintenance Level | Low |
🍁 Provides dense shade that reduces energy costs in summer
🌍 Contributes to air purification and erosion control
🐦 Attracts pollinators and birds without dropping seeds or pods
🌳 Grows quickly and cleanly, ideal for urban and suburban planting
| ✅ Pros | ⚠️ Cons |
|---|---|
| 🍂 Exceptional fall color in red to deep purple | 🍁 Fall leaf drop requires cleanup in tight areas |
| 🌿 Seedless – no helicopter seeds to sweep up | 📏 May outgrow small yards if not planned properly |
| 🏡 Excellent shade and street tree with symmetrical form | 🧪 Prefers slightly acidic soil; may struggle in high pH environments |
| 🌞 Tolerates a variety of soils and climates | 🌬️ Young trees may need staking in windy locations |
| 🌳 Native red maple hybrid with stronger structure | 💧 Needs consistent moisture when newly planted |
🛁 Soak roots for 6–12 hours before planting
🕳️ Dig a hole 2× wider than the root spread; keep crown level with soil line
🌾 Apply 2–3 inches of mulch around the base to retain moisture
💦 Water weekly during the first growing season; adjust with rainfall
✂️ Prune in late winter to remove dead or crowded limbs
🧪 Fertilize in spring with a tree-safe balanced blend if needed
The Brandywine Maple is a bold, dependable shade tree with breathtaking color and clean growth. Whether anchoring a front yard, lining a drive, or casting cool shade over a backyard, it offers form, function, and fall firepower all in one hardy package.
