Acer Truncatum x Platanoides 'Ruby Sunset'

Ruby Sunset Maple

Botanical Name: Acer truncatum × Acer platanoides ‘Ruby Sunset’ (syn. ‘JFS-KW249’)
Family: Sapindaceae
Origin: Hybrid (A. truncatum × A. platanoides), cultivar selected in North America
Plant Type: Deciduous tree

Overview

A compact, upright maple with a naturally uniform, rounded-oval crown. Glossy dark-green summer foliage develops vivid ruby to crimson tones in autumn. Strong central leader, dense branching and very low seed set make it an excellent feature or small-street/driveway tree for SA.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 7-9 m H x 4-6 m W
• Growth Rate: 45-75 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Glossy dark green; new growth can flush bronze; turns ruby-red/crimson in autumn
• Flowers: Inconspicuous yellow-green in spring; very low seed set (often functionally seedless)
• Seasonal Interest: Cooling summer shade; reliable, early red autumn colour
• Wildlife Value: Canopy and nesting structure for small birds; spring nectar for pollinators
• Tolerance: Frost hardy; excellent heat and wind tolerance; urban-adapted and drought-resilient once established
• Planting Density: Avenue/specimen: 4–6 m apart (≈1 tree per 16–36 m²), depending on mature canopy.
• Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats & dogs

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Loam, sandy loam or clay loam with good drainage (handles slightly heavier clays if not waterlogged)
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 2–3 weeks in summer (weekly in heatwaves); seldom in winter unless dry
• Maintenance: Mulch in spring; light structural pruning while young to reinforce a single leader and lift canopy as needed
• Lifespan: 30–60+ years in good conditions (typical for vigorous street maples)
• Climate Zones: Temperate SA; inland/coastal hinterland ok—avoid frontline salt exposure
• Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline; better tolerance of alkaline sites than many red-maple types

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Compact avenue or driveway planting (great under tighter setbacks)
• Feature/statement shade tree for lawns, verges and courtyards
• Reliable urban/street planting where a smaller maple canopy is desired

Why You Will Love It

Tidy, tough and brilliant in autumn—‘Ruby Sunset’ gives your Adelaide property that premium red-maple look on a smaller, street-friendly tree with fewer seeds and excellent heat tolerance.