{"id":532,"date":"2026-10-07T09:55:43","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T13:55:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/?page_id=532"},"modified":"2026-10-07T09:55:43","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T13:55:43","slug":"freeman-maple","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/trees\/freeman-maple\/","title":{"rendered":"Freeman Maple"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Acer \u00d7 freemanii<\/em><\/p>\n

Overview<\/h2>\n

The Freeman Maple is a naturally occurring hybrid between Red Maple (Acer rubrum<\/em>) and Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum<\/em>). It combines many of the desirable characteristics of both parent species, including the rapid growth of Silver Maple and the brilliant fall color of Red Maple. Because of its adaptability, attractive form, and reliable autumn display, Freeman Maple has become one of the most widely planted landscape maples in North America.<\/p>\n

Many Freeman Maples found in parks, campuses, and urban landscapes are cultivated selections chosen for exceptional fall color, growth habit, and environmental tolerance.<\/p>\n

Identification<\/h2>\n

Leaves<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Opposite leaf arrangement<\/li>\n
  • Three to five lobes<\/li>\n
  • Intermediate in appearance between Red Maple and Silver Maple<\/li>\n
  • Dark green during the growing season<\/li>\n
  • Brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow in autumn<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Bark<\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Smooth and light gray on young trees<\/li>\n
    • Develops shallow ridges and furrows with age<\/li>\n
    • Similar to both parent species<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Flowers<\/h3>\n
        \n
      • Small red flowers produced in early spring<\/li>\n
      • Bloom before or as leaves emerge<\/li>\n
      • Less conspicuous than the foliage display<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Fruit<\/h3>\n
          \n
        • Produces paired winged seeds known as samaras<\/li>\n
        • Fertility varies among individual trees and cultivars<\/li>\n
        • Some cultivated selections produce little or no seed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Size<\/h3>\n
            \n
          • Typically grows 40 to 70 feet tall<\/li>\n
          • Mature spread of 30 to 50 feet<\/li>\n
          • Forms a rounded to oval canopy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Native Range<\/h2>\n

            Freeman Maple originated through natural hybridization between Red Maple and Silver Maple, both of which are native to West Virginia and much of eastern North America. Hybrid populations may occur naturally where the ranges of the parent species overlap, particularly in river valleys and floodplain environments.<\/p>\n

            Today, Freeman Maple is most commonly encountered as a cultivated landscape tree.<\/p>\n

            Ecology and Wildlife Value<\/h2>\n

            Freeman Maple provides many of the same ecological benefits as its parent species.<\/p>\n

            Its flowers offer early-season resources for pollinators, while its canopy provides:<\/p>\n

              \n
            • Shade and cooling<\/li>\n
            • Nesting habitat for birds<\/li>\n
            • Shelter for wildlife<\/li>\n
            • Stormwater interception<\/li>\n
            • Carbon storage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Like other maples, Freeman Maple also supports a variety of native insects that contribute to healthy urban and forest ecosystems.<\/p>\n

              Human Uses and Cultural Significance<\/h2>\n

              Freeman Maple is highly regarded as a landscape tree because it combines the strengths of Red Maple and Silver Maple while reducing some of their limitations.<\/p>\n

              The species is valued for:<\/p>\n

                \n
              • Rapid growth<\/li>\n
              • Brilliant fall color<\/li>\n
              • Adaptability to urban environments<\/li>\n
              • Tolerance of a variety of soil conditions<\/li>\n
              • Strong shade-producing canopy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Numerous cultivars have been developed for ornamental use, including selections known for particularly vivid autumn foliage and uniform growth habits.<\/p>\n

                Because of these characteristics, Freeman Maple has become a common choice for streetscapes, parks, campuses, and residential landscapes.<\/p>\n

                Freeman Maple at Marshall University<\/h2>\n

                Freeman Maples contribute shade, seasonal beauty, and botanical diversity to the Marshall University Arboretum. As naturally occurring hybrids, they demonstrate how new combinations of traits can arise when closely related species grow together.<\/p>\n

                Their vibrant fall color and adaptability make them valuable components of the campus landscape while providing an opportunity for visitors to compare characteristics inherited from both Red Maple and Silver Maple.<\/p>\n

                Quick Facts<\/h2>\n

                Common Name:<\/strong> Freeman Maple
                \nScientific Name:<\/strong> Acer \u00d7 freemanii<\/em>
                \nFamily:<\/strong> Sapindaceae
                \nNative Region:<\/strong> West Virginia Native
                \nMature Height:<\/strong> 40-70 feet
                \nMature Spread:<\/strong> 30-50 feet
                \nGrowth Rate:<\/strong> Fast
                \nSun Requirements:<\/strong> Full Sun to Partial Shade
                \nSoil Preferences:<\/strong> Adaptable; tolerates a wide range of soil conditions
                \nUSDA Hardiness Zones:<\/strong> 3-8
                \nBloom Period:<\/strong> February to April
                \nFruit\/Seed:<\/strong> Paired winged samaras; seed production varies by cultivar
                \nWildlife Value:<\/strong> Provides habitat, shade, and early-season pollinator resources
                \nNotable Characteristics:<\/strong> Hybrid origin, rapid growth, adaptability, and brilliant fall color<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                Acer \u00d7 freemanii Overview The Freeman Maple is a naturally occurring hybrid between Red Maple (Acer rubrum) and Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum). It combines many of the desirable characteristics of both parent species, including the rapid growth of Silver Maple and the brilliant fall color of Red Maple. Because of its adaptability, attractive form, and<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":224,"featured_media":0,"parent":6,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-narrow.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-532","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/532","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/224"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=532"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/532\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":533,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/532\/revisions\/533"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=532"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}