moderateShade TreeOrnamental Tree

Should You Plant Red Sunset Maple?

Acer rubrum 'Franksred'

Best for homeowners who want meaningful shade without the urgency or management tradeoffs of the fastest growers.

Red Sunset Maple is most compelling when you have enough room to let its canopy mature into actual summer shade instead of forcing it into a bed that is too tight.

Where It Excels

Red Sunset Maple excels in backyards and open side yards where there is enough sun and enough clearance to let the canopy broaden over time.

Think Twice If

I would skip Red Sunset Maple for shaded side yards or spots tucked under larger trees, because it is much more likely to disappoint there than in open sun.

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Growth rate

1–2 ft/yr (moderate)

Mature height

40–50 ft

Mature spread

30–40 ft

USDA zones

4–9

Height Timeline

How tall will it be when this yard actually has to live with it?

This table shows the estimated height at a few practical checkpoints, based on the current growth-rate estimate and capped at the tree's mature height.

10-Year Check-In

10 ft–20 ft

Useful if you are planning around resale, sightlines, or future shade.

Checkpoint	Estimated height
5 years	5 ft–10 ft
10 years	10 ft–20 ft
20 years	20 ft–40 ft
30 years	30 ft–50 ft
40 years	40 ft–50 ft
At maturity	40 ft–50 ft

What Growth Looks Like in a Real Yard

Red Sunset Maple typically puts on about 1–2 feet per year in decent conditions, which is why the 10-year question matters more than the label alone. In practical terms, that points to roughly 10–20 feet of height within a decade.

That middle pace is often the sweet spot for homeowners who want noticeable growth without feeling like the tree is racing ahead of the space.

Red Sunset Maple is not the tree to tuck into a dim leftover corner; if it needs full sun, treat that as a requirement rather than a suggestion.

How we built the estimate

For Red Sunset Maple, we pulled together published growth notes from plant references and gardening sources, then reduced them to a working range of 1–2 ft/yr. That range reflects how this tree is typically described in the literature, not a single nursery claim or one idealized number. We currently have 1 growth note in the mix, including 0 from stronger sources.

Typical yearly growth: 1–2 ft/yr (moderate).

Our working estimate is based on published growth notes gathered across plant references and gardening sources.

Want to see where this number came from?

Arbor Day Foundation

1–2 ft/yr

“Seeded editorial growth label: moderate”

Open source

Growing conditions

Quick reference for the basic site fit, followed by the limitation that matters most before you plant.

Growth rate

1–2 ft/yr (moderate)

Mature height

40–50 ft

Mature spread

30–40 ft

USDA zones

4–9

Sunlight

full sun; partial shade

Soil

Adaptable; prefers acidic, moist soil

Leaf type

deciduous

Watch Out

Red Sunset Maple is not the tree to tuck into a dim leftover corner; if it needs full sun, treat that as a requirement rather than a suggestion.

Sources

Direct references used to compile the fields shown on this page.

If You're Considering Red Sunset Maple, Also Look At...

These are not just lookalikes. They overlap on climate or growth profile, but each solves a slightly different homeowner problem.

October Glory Red Maple

Acer rubrum 'October Glory'

moderate

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 40–50 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: shade · ornamental

October Glory Red Maple is a close climate and growth-rate match, so the decision usually comes down to habit, size, and the role you need the tree to play.

Shared zones: 4–9 · Similar growth pace

Bald Cypress

Taxodium distichum

slow

0.5–1 ft/yr (slow) · 50–70 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: shade · ornamental

Bald Cypress is worth comparing if you want the same general fit but with more eventual scale and canopy.

Shared zones: 4–9

River Birch

Betula nigra

fast

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 30–70 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: shade · ornamental

River Birch is worth comparing if you want the same general fit but with more eventual scale and canopy.

Shared zones: 4–9

Sassafras

Sassafras albidum

moderate

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 30–60 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: shade · native

Sassafras is a close climate and growth-rate match, so the decision usually comes down to habit, size, and the role you need the tree to play.

Shared zones: 4–9 · Similar growth pace

Saucer Magnolia

Magnolia x soulangeana

moderate

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 20–30 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: flowering · ornamental

Saucer Magnolia leans more ornamental, so it is worth a look if bloom, form, or seasonal show matters more than utility.

Shared zones: 4–9 · Similar growth pace

Serviceberry

Amelanchier x grandiflora

moderate

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 15–25 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: flowering · ornamental

Serviceberry leans more ornamental, so it is worth a look if bloom, form, or seasonal show matters more than utility.

Shared zones: 4–9 · Similar growth pace