Acer rubrum Armstrong - Maple

The Acer rubrum 'Armstrong' is a beautiful deciduous tree with a narrow, fastigiate habit, brilliant and spectacular orange-red autumn foliage! Its columnar shape is suitable for all sizes of gardens. From spring, it has flowers in small red corymbs, which are not very interesting but herald the arrival of its lobed foliage in the form of young red shoots. Its leaves turn glossy green in summer and then yellow and brilliant orange-red in autumn. Fast growing, it is an excellent tree to grow as a free-standing specimen, in avenues, or in small groups on a lawn. Otherwise, use it to add a splash of colour to the landscape at the bottom of the garden. Hardy, it is suitable for sunny or semi-shaded locations in a soil that is moist, not too heavy, and lime-free. It even tolerates brief periods of flooding!

The Acer rubrum 'Armstrong' was discovered by Newton Armstrong in Scanlon, Ohio, United States in 1947. Originally classified in the red maples, it is a selection of natural hybrids between A. rubrum and A. saccharinum. It will, therefore, be increasingly marketed under the name Acer x freemanii 'Armstrong' in honor of Oliver Freeman, the first breeder to cross the two species at the National Arboretum in Washington in 1933 before these naturally occurring hybrids were discovered.

The Acer rubrum 'Armstrong' grows at a moderate rate reaching 12 m (39 in 5 ft) in height and 4 m (13 in 1 ft) in spread at maturity. It has an upright, fastigiate, columnar habit. The deciduous foliage is composed of palmate leaves, divided into 5 pointed, toothed lobes. They are borne on red petioles or stalks. When the buds burst, the young shoots are first red then green. The leaves become glossy green with a bluish underside in summer, and then in autumn, they are ablaze with sumptuous orange to red hues, like a sunset. Flowering takes place in March-April, before the leaves appear. The small, very fragrant and nectar-rich red flowers are arranged in pendulous terminal clusters, with no ornamental interest. This variety does not produce fruits. The bark of the branches is grey to dark red. As it ages, it becomes dark grey and peels off in large flakes.

The Acer rubrum 'Armstrong' is a vigorous tree, resistant to heavy frosts. It will thrive in not too heavy, moist, and lime-free soil. Planted as a specimen or in an avenue of trees in a park or a small to large-sized garden, it will be majestic. It can also be incorporated into a loose hedge. This cultivar is very sensitive to salt and will have difficulty withstanding coastal winds.

Attention: although appetizing to animals, the leaves and fruits of the Red Maple are toxic to horses.