In 1969, when Edward Murray officially recognized hybrids between red maple (Acer rubrum) and silver maple (Acer saccharinum) as Freeman maples (Acer xfreemanii), he couldn't have imagined the bright future that lay ahead for this species. But now, almost four decades later, Freeman maple selections are commonplace at nurseries and garden centers, and in residential and commercial landscapes throughout the upper Midwest. Currently, about ten Freeman maple cultivars are grown by plant peddlers in the U.S., but the hands down favorite is 'Jeffersred' (marketed under the trademark Autumn Blaze^®).

The late Glenn Jeffers of Fostoria, Ohio selected 'Jeffersred' from a group of seedlings in the late 1960's, and to his credit, held off until 1980 before formally introducing his superstar selection to the nursery trade. I say "to his credit" because all too often, landscape plants get introduced to the gardening public before debilitating weaknesses or flaws in form, adaptability, or some aesthetic trait are discovered. It must have been difficult for Mr. Jeffers to exercise this kind of patience because he probably knew 'Jeffersred' was going to be a winner.

Now, twenty-six years after its introduction, 'Jeffersred' Freeman maple is one of the most popular shade trees in Iowa (and presumably in much of the Midwest). Why? Well, if you're a homeowner, landscape designer, or city forester, would you be interested in a tree that grows fast, has brilliant reddish-orange fall leaf color, relatively few pest problems, and broad adaptability to climate and soils? Of course, the answer would be a resounding yes! But if everyone is saying yes, should we worry that we're planting 'Jeffersred' on too grand a scale? In other words, are we setting ourselves up for another American elm-like disaster?

The good news is, unlike American elm, 'Jeffersred' has yet to reveal a comparable Achilles heel? Yes, some trees will develop included bark where branch and main stem meet, and if not corrected, these branches may break out of the tree if they experience heavy ice and/or snow loads. And yes, if you plant 'Jeffersred' on a hot, dry site, remove all of its lower branches, and fail to provide adequate moisture, you can expect sunscald injury on the southwestern side of the trunk. Throw in an occasional maple bladder gall infestation or tar spot infection on the foliage, and that's about it for "significant" biotic pests. So far, that is! My point is, since we don't know which insect pest or disease-causing pathogen will show up on our shores or in our neighborhoods next, the time-honored strategy of diversifying our community tree population remains the best hedge against any future pest-related calamity.

Now, I'm sure many of you out there probably are wondering why I insist on calling this tree 'Jeffersred' instead of 'Autumn Blaze' maple. And I wouldn't blame you a bit if you were confused by a practice that seemingly issues dual or multiple "names" to trees and other landscape plants. But in reality, the only true name for this plant is the cultivar name 'Jeffersred'. Autumn Blaze (or Autumn Blaze^®) is the trademark used to market 'Jeffersred' but it's not another name and should never be used as an alternate or additional cultivar name.

But let's not end on such a legalistic note. Instead, join me in offering our thanks to Mr. Jeffers for bringing this unique and useful tree to our attention, and ultimately to our yards, parks, and streets. Because on a warm, cloudless, brilliantly lit late September or early October afternoon, there are few sites more welcoming and reassuring than the unmistakable reddish-orange glow from a 'Jeffersred' Freeman maple. C'mon down to the Bickelhaupt Arboretum and see for yourself.