Acer rubrum 'Sun Valley' (Red Maple)

A showy specimen or shade tree, especially in the fall, Acer rubrum 'Sun Valley' is a fast-growing maple tree with an upright ovular growth habit, developed as a hybrid of two other showy red maple cultivars, 'Red Sunset' and 'Autumn Flame.' As a result of the selective breeding program, this cultivar's fall foliage is absolutely stunning in a variety of fiery reds. Rounded upright shape and tolerance of cold, wet roots, and a variety of soil conditions makes 'Sun Valley' a great, low-maintenance choice for a lot of landscapes.

Acer rubrum is a fast growing tree, and 'Sun Valley' typically grows to 30-35' tall at maturity, which is relatively small for a maple, but thanks to the speed of growth it may only take about 15-20 years to reach full size. In spring, 'Sun Valley' produces small, nondescript flowers in shades of red and green which, due to its nature as a sterile hybrid, do not produce the winged samara seed pods that the tree is known for. While seed pods and flower buds are attractive to many species of birds, and their loss can reduce ecological benefit, the lack of seeds only adds to the tree's low-maintenance nature, requiring less sweeping or leaf-blowing to keep things tidy through the end of summer.