Maple, Pacific Sunset®

Description

Glossy dark green foliage, fine fall color and improved adaptability to heat and drought are features that distinguish Pacific Sunset® Maple among the many maple cultivars. Its performance in the Pacific Northwest has earned this medium-sized shade tree a place on the 2003 Great Plant Picks list. Adaptable to varied growing conditions, Pacific Sunset Maple performs well in many areas of the country, including regions that are considerably warmer and drier in summer and colder in winter than the maritime Northwest.

Pacific Sunset® Maple is a hybrid of Acer truncatum and Acer platanoides that combines the best characteristics of the parents in a medium sized shade tree. Dark glossy leaves, drought resistance, orange to red fall color and a smaller ultimate size are inherited from Shantung Maple (Acer truncatum). The Norway parent (Acer platanoides) contributes faster growth, caliper development at an early age, larger leaves and adaptability to varied growing conditions. Its fine textured branch structure evolves to a rounded crown.

Does not scorch in sun as severely as Norway maple. Tolerant of salty, clay soil. Orange to red fall color. Great street tree for Utah. More rounded than Norwegian Sunset.