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Sun Valley Maple Tree
Sun Valley Maple Tree
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Acer rubrum 'Sun Valley'
Sun Valley Maple
The Sun Valley Maple is a brilliant seedless red maple celebrated for its uniform growth, stunning scarlet-red fall color, and clean canopy shape. This bare root variety is a USDA-developed cultivar that combines vibrant seasonal beauty with low-maintenance practicality, making it a top choice for homeowners, municipalities, and landscape designers.
With its dense foliage, upright oval habit, and moderate size, the Sun Valley Maple delivers cooling shade in summer and an explosion of fiery foliage in fall—without the mess of helicopter seeds. It's an ideal shade or street tree for almost any setting.
Sun Valley Maple (Bare Root) Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌱 Variety | Bare Root |
| 🌿 Botanical Name | Acer rubrum ‘Sun Valley’ |
| 🏷️ Common Names | Sun Valley Maple, Seedless Red Maple |
| 🌳 Mature Height | 35–45 feet |
| 🌐 Mature Width | 20–30 feet |
| 📈 Growth Rate | Moderate to fast (1.5–2.5 feet per year) |
| ⏳ Lifespan | 50–80 years |
| 🧊 USDA Zones | 4–7 |
| ☀️ Sun Preference | Full sun to partial shade (best color in full sun) |
| 🧱 Soil Type | Moist, well-drained loam, clay, or sandy soils |
| ⚖️ Soil pH | Slightly acidic to neutral (5.0–6.5) |
| 💧 Water Needs | Moderate; prefers consistent moisture |
| 🍃 Foliage Color | Bright green (spring/summer); vivid red (fall) |
| 🌸 Flower/Berry Production | Seedless – no samaras (helicopter seeds) |
| 🐝 Wildlife Attraction | Birds, pollinators, native insects |
| 🌿 Growth Habit | Upright, oval, symmetrical canopy |
| 🌸 Self-Pollinating? | Yes |
| ↔️ Spacing | 20–30 ft for standalone; 35+ ft for shade rows |
| 🏡 Landscape Uses | Shade tree, front yards, street trees, parks |
| 🧹 Maintenance Level | Low |
Environmental Benefits
🍁 Offers dense summer shade, reducing cooling costs and heat stress
🐦 Attracts native birds and beneficial insects with non-invasive growth
🌍 Thrives in urban and suburban settings with high air tolerance
🌳 Contributes to soil stabilization and carbon capture
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ⚠️ Cons |
|---|---|
| 🍂 Show-stopping scarlet fall color | ❄️ May show early color change in drought or compacted soils |
| 🌿 Seedless – no messy helicopters or sap | 🌱 Requires consistent watering during establishment |
| 🏡 Symmetrical shape perfect for front yards and driveways | 📏 Limited to moderate height; may not be ideal for large open landscapes |
| 🌞 Grows well in a wide range of soil types and pH levels | 🧪 Sensitive to salt and pollution in extreme urban environments |
| 🐝 Excellent pollinator support with compact form | 🪵 Branch structure benefits from early pruning to encourage strong shape |
Planting & Care Guide (Bare Root)
🛁 Soak roots for 6–12 hours before planting
🕳️ Dig a hole 2× the width of the root ball; set crown level with soil
🌾 Mulch 2–3 inches around the base to maintain moisture and suppress weeds
💦 Water weekly in the first growing season; increase during dry spells
✂️ Prune in late winter to establish strong branching early on
🧪 Fertilize in early spring with a slow-release balanced tree fertilizer
The Sun Valley Maple (Bare Root) is a refined, seedless shade tree that delivers bold fall color, elegant form, and practical performance. Whether you’re lining a drive, anchoring a yard, or creating a shady retreat, this red maple hybrid brings structure, simplicity, and seasonal fireworks to any landscape.
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