Acer Species, Drummond Red Maple, Red Maple, Scarlet Maple, Swamp Maple

One year ago, we planted a 20' Drummond Red Maple. It seemed to adjust fine until August, when the leaves turned brown around edges, and ...Read Morebegan to fall off. We watered it heavily when first planted. We were told too much water, so we backed off, afraid we had lost our tree. Now, in February it is in full bloom. How do we go forward this year taking care of it? We planted this tree hoping for fast growing and shade in our backyard. Help!

This is the unmistakable Red Maple variety of the Gulf South, visible along highways, in swampy forests, and along the Mississippi River ...Read More(and other rivers, of course). I would go so far as to call it an esteemed member of the "Big Four" of classic Gulf South trees, along with Bald Cypress, Southern Live Oak, and Dwarf Palmetto. (Yeah, I know, palms aren't technically trees; swap in Wax Myrtle or Southern Magnolia for it if you must.) Their reputation for intolerance to wind/hurricanes is unfounded, in my opinion. My parents have had a gorgeous 30' tall one growing on their front curb in Old Metairie for over 20 years. It grows amid lots of power lines, but the parish (county) has not seen fit to cut it down. It has been through some of the most devastating hurricanes and tropical storms you could imagine, and has never lost more than a few twigs in any of them. It has never had any disease or insect problems. I occasionally trim it with a pole pruner to maintain its form, risking electrocution. Why? Just because I think it's such a dang great tree and it deserves to get its swagger on for all the neighbors to see.

So view the Drummond Red as a "junk tree" if you want, but I think it's great, and I'd even call it worthy as a specimen planting, especially if protected from strong wind by larger untoppleable trees like Live Oak or Bald Cypress. My only slight qualm is the extremely pale green of the leaves, though that does make for a striking contrast when planted next to the dark leaves of, say, Live Oaks, hollies, or Southern Magnolias.

Not as colorful as varieties grown further north, but suited for TX. Tree has a thin bark which cracks easily during extreme fluctuation...Read Mores between day and night temps. Tree heals itself. I trim suckers/branches often to keep a neat single trunk.

I have plenty of these trees on my property. The fall color is not as great as more northern varieties. Corrective pruning is almost alwa...Read Moreys required to maintain central leader. Trees with multiple leaders break apart easily. This tree also has very shallow roots that need protecting with mulch. All in all, this tree is best placed in an open area where it can spread out and develop and thicker trunk. When grown in crowded conditions, they get very tall and slender and are prone to bending or breaking in high winds.