The ‘Royal Red’ Norway Maple (Acer platanoides ‘Royal Red’) is a popular deciduous tree known for its striking deep purple to maroon foliage that persists throughout the growing season. It offers a vibrant burst of color in landscapes, making it a favored choice for ornamental planting and shade.
Key Characteristics and Identification
The ‘Royal Red’ Norway Maple is distinguished by its glossy, five-lobed leaves, which emerge bright red and deepen to a brilliant crimson-purple or maroon. The tree grows with a dense, broad oval to rounded form.
Mature ‘Royal Red’ Maples reach a height of 30 to 40 feet with a spread of 25 to 35 feet. It is a slow to medium-growing shade tree. In early spring, before the leaves fully emerge, the tree produces clusters of yellow-green flowers that attract pollinators.
Planting and Site Selection
Site selection is important for the ‘Royal Red’ Maple. This tree performs best in full sun, though it can tolerate partial shade. It adapts to a wide range of soil conditions, including clay, sand, or loam, provided the soil is well-drained. While not particular about soil pH, it prefers average to moist conditions and should not be allowed to dry out significantly.
When planting, dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Place the tree at the same level it was in its nursery container, with the root flare visible at or slightly above the soil line. Backfill the hole with excavated soil, gently tamping to remove large air pockets. Apply a 2-4 inch layer of mulch around the base, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk, to retain soil moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Watering is essential for newly planted ‘Royal Red’ Maples to establish a strong root system. During the first one to two years after planting, water deeply once or twice a week, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Established trees are moderately drought-tolerant but benefit from deep watering every two to three weeks during prolonged dry periods. Checking the soil moisture by hand before watering can help prevent over or under-watering.
Fertilization is not necessary for established ‘Royal Red’ Maples if the soil is healthy. However, if growth appears sluggish or leaves show signs of nutrient deficiency, a general-purpose, nitrogen-rich fertilizer can be applied in spring following product label instructions. Pruning is for shaping the tree, removing dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Prune in late winter before leaf emergence or in mid-summer after the leaves have fully developed.
Common Issues and Solutions
‘Royal Red’ Maples are hardy but can encounter certain issues. Leaf scorch can occur during periods of intense heat or insufficient water, causing leaf margins to brown. Ensuring adequate deep watering during dry spells helps prevent this. While adaptable to urban pollution, these trees are susceptible to pests like aphids or scale insects, which can be managed with horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps.
Fungal diseases such as verticillium wilt and tar spot can affect maples. Verticillium wilt can cause wilting and dieback of branches. Tar spot appears as black spots on leaves and is primarily a cosmetic issue that does not harm the tree’s health; raking and disposing of fallen leaves can reduce its recurrence. Ensuring proper drainage and avoiding soil compaction can also mitigate root-related problems.