PDA

View Full Version : Fastest grower? Autumn blaze vs silver maple vs red maple



Moparguy55
05-19-2024, 11:39 PM
Wondering which species would grow the fastest in a previously cultivated corn field? Fairly wet in spots.
Thanks

maple flats
05-20-2024, 07:17 PM
Silvers grow faster than reds but5 I'm not familiar with Autumn blaze, it's likely a type of Japanese maple, but that's only a guess. I have no idea on growing speed
I will comment, that silver maples tolerate wet ground better than red maples but both do better than sugar maples if the ground tends to be wet. My guess is that you are thinking future maple syrup production, reds would be my choice, if the drainage issue can grow them because they do better for sap. Silvers must be watched closely to stop collecting the sap as the buds open, whereas reds stop yielding sap as the buds open.
Only because I've never heard of anyone tapping Autumn Blaze maples, my guess is that they are poor choice for making syrup.

DRoseum
05-20-2024, 08:57 PM
I believe Autumn Blaze is a trade name for a Freeman Maple, which is a cross between Red and Silver maples. While this hybrid occurs naturally, I believe some like "autumn blaze" are cultivars.

Pdiamond
05-21-2024, 07:23 PM
I did a google search, typed in autumn blaze tree. There was one quite interesting site that covered the 10 pros and cons of planting the tree. If you look at this it may help you decide which way to go. There was some good information about the trees both good and bad. Hope this helps.

Andy VT
05-21-2024, 07:51 PM
Pdiamond, in your searches did you manage to find anything regarding tapping the Autumn Blaze (or other silver/red hybrids)?
I've googled them as well over the few years I've been sugaring, but haven't found much about people who have tapped them, although it has been briefly mentioned on maple trader.
Eventually, my urban "operation" will have mainly Autumn Blaze.
It's the only maple anyone plants in urban areas anymore, it seems.
Lots of sugar maples here but they're all old and huge, though still very healthy by and large.

Pdiamond
05-22-2024, 07:18 PM
Andy - under the 10 autumn blaze trees pros and cons article it stated that animals and insects were attracted to the thick foliage for protection and the sweet tasting sap that the tree produced. Since it is a hybrid tree, I would have to assume that they are a tappable tree. I do not know, nor have I found out yet if anyone has any experience tapping the tress. I plan to keep looking and will report my findings if there are any.

DRoseum
05-22-2024, 09:16 PM
Judging by leaves alone, I pretty sure I have a naturally occurring Freeman maple that I tap.

NoblesvilleIN
05-25-2024, 09:22 AM
I have two Autumn Blaze trees out of the 12 yard trees that I tap (6 sugar, 3 red, 1 norway, and the 2 Autumn Blaze). One Autumn Blaze produces an amount of sap between what the sugar's and the red's produce - less than than the sugar's, but more than the red's. The other tree, I am giving up on. It has produced very little the last several years and was basically dry this year - maybe a couple of gallons over the month. I am also giving up on the norway maple as it has been producing even less.

Pdiamond
05-25-2024, 06:46 PM
Andy and others: the following is what I have been able to gather. All of this information is available on different websites. The tree was first produced in 1933 by a man named Freeman. Hence the name Freman Maple or Autumn Blaze. They are a cross between a silver maple and a red maple. They are a fast growing, shallow rooted tree. It is mentioned that one of the options you can take to prevent it tipping over is to thin the upper branches while it is young. It will still grow the 40 to 60 feet in height, but by trimming allows the wind to go through. The sap is very sweet although some trees do not produce, and some trees are gushers. I would imagine on a tubing and vacuum system you would tend to get more sap. I hope this answers some of your questions.