Acer rubrum Cultivars for the South

Abstract

Nine budded Acer rubrum cultivars were evaluated from 1980-1988 for fall color, growth rate and bud union incompatibility. Fall foliar coloration was consistent with ‘Autumn Flame’, ‘Tilford’, ‘Gerling’, and ‘Bowhall’, but not with ‘Red Sunset’. With the exception of ‘Red Sunset’, bud union incompatibility has occurred with all cultivars, especially ‘Bowhall’, ‘Scarlet Sentinel’, and ‘Schlesingeri’. Annual height growth of these cultivars averaged 50-69 cm, with the exception of ‘Autumn Flame’ which averaged 40-45 cm a year. ‘Armstrong’, a fastigiate form, grew 60-65 cm annually. Two seedling selections, from south Alabama and Tennessee, were compared with the cultivars. Height and caliper growth of the seedlings were similar to most cultivars.