Are you looking for a tree that will give you one of the very first doses of brilliant fall  color?  Consider planting an Autumn spire Red Maple.

Autumn Spire Red Maple is a northern Minnesota selection, so you can count on it being extra cold hardy, and it is size rated as a tree that is narrower than it is tall, at 25′ wide and 50 feet tall at maturity.  In mid-September, I usually see the first amber hues showing on some of the leaves of my Autumn Spire Red Maple.  By late September, a brilliant red//burgundy overtakes the entire tree.

Autumn Spire Red Maple grows best on acidic soil with good moisture levels, ,but not water-logged soils.  It is  important  to protect the bark from winter sunlight the first 5-8 years with a white plastic trunk protector that costs only a few dollars.  The same white tree wraps also protect against mice rabbits, deer, weed whips and lawn mowers.

Another Red Maple selection from Minnesota that you might find interesting is Red Rocket Red Maple, an even narrower tree with a rated width of only 8′ and height of 35′.  Red Rocket Red Maple also sports beautiful red fall color and prefers acidic soils.