September Flare® Sugar Maple - Acer saccharum 'SeptDak' (RFM-75)

Description

fall leavesA very hardy sugar maple seedling selection exhibiting heavy textured tatter resistant foliage, consistent mid-September into early October showy red-orange fall coloration, and excellent winter hardiness in the Northern Plains to -40 °F. This selection originated from a northwest Minnesota native population seed lot and was noted for its early intense fall coloration as a two-year old seedling. Its early coloring capabilities will extend the fall color season. 

Hardiness: 

USDA hardiness zone 3b-6

Mature Size

Height: 40-50', Spread: 30-40'

Form (Shape):

Upright oval

Growth Rate:

Medium

Foliage:

Deciduous
Summer: Green to dark green, heavier leaf texture typical of northern prairie sources.
Autumn: Fall coloration beginning in the late second to third week of September as an orange-red tint in the upper canopy foliage, spreading to orange-red throughout the tree, and ending with radiant orange-red to red foliage coloration before leaf fall by mid-October.

Texture:

Medium

Flower:

Produced in drooping corymbs before the leaves emerge. Shortlived spring interest, not overly showy.


Fruit:

Two winged samara ripening in fall, not showy.

Light Preference:

Full sun exposure

Soil Preference:

Prefers a deep, well-drained, non-droughty soil, will tolerate higher pH levels than the species.

Propagation:

Summer budding onto northern sugar maple rootstocks.

Ornamental Attributes:

A very winter hardy selection with good crown density exhibiting excellent summer foliage quality and outstanding fall coloration of an orange-red to red color. Begins fall coloring before other trees in the landscape extend fall color season.

Landscape Attributes:

Recommended for use as a landscape, public grounds, boulevard (larger), parks, schools, and golf course tree, wherever tree diversity and adaptability to northern conditions are important.

Comments:

This selection is notable for its early annual display of excellent reliable fall color, which is photoperiod initiated and not frost dependent in this northern climate setting. 

Patent Status

U.S. Trademark September Flare™

Licensing Status

This cultivar is available for non-exclusive licensing.

Downloads:

Download the PDF Datasheet (PDF, 497.95 KB)

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