Acer rubrum 'Northwood'

RHS Plant Profile

red maple 'Northwood'

Shrubs Trees

An oval to round-headed, deciduous tree about 15m tall, the 3-5 lobed palmate leaves to 10cm long. The new spring growth is reddish-green, maturing to bright green in summer, then turning brilliant, fiery red in autumn if the weather is reliably cold. Upright clusters of tiny red flowers are borne in spring followed by dark red winged fruits in autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Sand, Loam

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Sand Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Sapindaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, Spreading branched
Genus: Acer can be deciduous trees or large shrubs with paired, often palmately-lobed leaves and small flowers followed by characteristic winged fruits. Many have fine autumn colour, and some have ornamental stems
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moisture-retentive, well-drained neutral to acid soil with sun or partial shade. Leaf scorch can be caused by lack of soil moisture or excessive exposure. See tree cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by grafting in late winter or by softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden

Pruning

Pruning group 1, if necessary, from late autumn to midwinter only

Pests

May be susceptible to Acer gall mite, aphids, caterpillars and horse chestnut scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, Acer leaf scorch and honey fungus