Maple, (Red) Somerset Acer rubrum 'Somerset' Height: 45 feet Spread: 35 feet
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Hardiness Zone: 4a Other Names: Swamp Maple, Scarlet Maple Description: A wonderful shade or feature tree for larger landscapes with consistently spectacular red fall color; small, red male flowers only on this seedless variety; excellent heat tolerance and insect resistance Ornamental Features Maple, (Red) Somerset features showy clusters of red flowers along the branches in early spring before the leaves. It has green deciduous foliage which emerges red in spring. The large lobed leaves turn an outstanding red in the fall. The furrowed silver bark and brick red branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape. Landscape Attributes Maple, (Red) Somerset is a deciduous tree with a shapely oval form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned in summer after the leaves have fully developed, as it may 'bleed' sap if pruned in late winter or early spring. It has no significant negative characteristics. Maple, (Red) Somerset is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Maple, (Red) Somerset will grow to be about 45 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 35 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 7 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 80 years or more. This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. This plant should be periodically fertilized throughout the active growing season with a specially-formulated acidic fertilizer. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species. Special Attributes Rubrum (Red) Maples generally have few to no seeds in the Pacific Northwest Desert with proper watering through the growing season. If it seeds the samaras, commonly known as helicopters for their winged shape. The size of seeds are 1 to 1 1/2 inches long.
