SCIENTIFIC NAME: Acer X freemanii (A. rubrum X A. saccharinum)

LEAVES: Opposite. 5 serrated lobed with deep sinuses. Mostly silver underneath. Terminal lobe shows characteristics of both parents.

Click here to see chart of 16 maple leaves.

BARK:

OTHER: Several cultivars of this relatively new species have been released to rave reviews by several horticulturists. It is being touted as a fast grower with excellent fall color. It is purported to have the best features of both parents. It is difficult to know, at this point, how the mature tree will perform over a number of years in various soil types and climatic zones. One of the parents of this species gives a person the right to be cautious even though so far everything looks good. Only time and careful observation will tell us the rest of the story.

CULTIVARS: 'Autumn Blaze' (looks the best to me so far), 'Armstrong', 'Autumn Fantasy', 'Celebration', 'Marmo', 'Morgan', 'Scarlet Sentinel'.