A dense shade tree with dramatic uncommon color, the Crimson King Maple Maple tree is a must-have for any home that wants to stand out from the rest. Known scientifically as Acer platanoides, the crimson king is a beautiful, showy specimen – tolerant of a variety of soil and environmental conditions. For this reason, many urban landscapers choose crimson king as a residential street tree. It is, however, possible to overdo this burgundy beauty. Too many of these dark-leaved specimens in a row along a roadside or walkway can be distracting and overwhelming to the eye – resulting in an almost bleak visual effect. Instead, allow this tree to show off its full potential by using it as a stand-alone specimen tree or as a single individual amongst a group of more conventionally-hued species.

Its star-shaped, classic Maple leaves are an engaging deep purple-maroon that stands out amid the usual greens of the summer landscape.

As an added bonus, your Crimson King Maple tree will be dotted with petite yellow flowers in the spring to the delight of the neighborhood’s butterflies and bees.

Seeds will later develop, with a two-winged structure that is as entertaining as it is useful. Their enchanting descent to the ground, spinning on the autumn breeze is a sight to behold – if the birds don’t snatch them up first.

When fall arrives your Crimson King Maple tree purple foliage will give one last burst of color as its dark purple shade transforms into a bronze hue.

Another factor to consider when finding the ideal space for a crimson king is the species’ notoriously shallow root system. The main roots tend to reside just below the soil surface, occasionally protruding here and there like sea serpents across your lawn. This can make mowing difficult, as the mower blades may damage the roots or vice versa. These structures can also pose a problem if the tree is planted too close to a road or walkway, actually overpowering the cement or asphalt and causing cracks and upswellings along the surface.

The crimson king makes an excellent shade tree, usually reaching 35 to 45 feet in height and 25 to 30 feet in breadth, with a dense, symmetrical oval-shaped crown that effectively blocks out sunlight. Branches are mostly upright in growth habit, making them reasonably resistant to damage from ice or snow.

While other yard trees can break down under harsh weather conditions, the Celebration® Maple stands tall and strong. With a strong central leader and sharp-angled branches, the Celebration® easily shoulders the weight of snow and ice and the strain of severe wind.