Armstrong Gold Red Maple

Armstrong Gold Red Maple (Acer rubrum 'Armstrong Gold')

Armstrong Gold Red Maple (Acer rubrum 'Armstrong Gold') is an upright, space-saving shade tree that brings the classic red maple look to landscapes that need height without a wide canopy. It is designed for tighter planting zones like street lawns, driveways, and side yards, where a broad-spreading maple would crowd the space. Through summer it provides a dense green canopy and a clean vertical silhouette, then shifts into bright golden yellow fall color that lights up the landscape and reads clearly from a distance. If you want a long-term tree that adds structure, shade, and a strong seasonal finish, Armstrong Gold Red Maple makes an excellent focal point.

Distinctive Features

The defining feature is the narrow, columnar habit, which creates a strong vertical line and makes the tree easier to fit into residential and commercial sites. Leaves are classic red maple in shape and texture, forming a full canopy that provides cooling shade while staying more contained in width. Fall color is a highlight, with the canopy often turning golden yellow and adding warmth to the landscape at the end of the season. As it matures, the upright structure creates a tidy, intentional look that works well in both traditional yards and modern landscape designs.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part shade; best growth and fall color in full sun.
• Soil: Adaptable; prefers moist, well-drained soil but tolerates a range of soil types once established.
• Water: Moderate; water regularly during establishment, then deep-water during prolonged dry periods.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8.
• Habit: Deciduous shade tree with a narrow, upright to columnar canopy.
• Mature Size: About 40 to 60 feet tall and 12 to 18 feet wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as a vertical specimen where height and fall color can anchor the landscape.
• Street and Driveway Planting: A strong fit for tight planting strips where a wider shade tree would be too large.
• Side Yard Shade: Add canopy and cooling shade in narrower spaces without losing access and openness.
• Property Line Structure: Plant in a row for a tall, seasonal screen effect with a more contained footprint.
• Modern Landscape Designs: The columnar form adds clean lines and architectural structure to contemporary plantings.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water deeply during the first two seasons to establish roots; continue watering during drought for best canopy health.
• Mulching: Apply a 2 to 3 inch mulch layer over the root zone to conserve moisture and protect roots, keeping mulch off the trunk.
• Pruning: Prune in late winter to maintain a strong central leader and remove crossing or crowded branches.
• Feeding: Fertilize lightly in spring if growth is slow; avoid overfeeding, which can push weak growth.
• Site Considerations: Provide adequate root space and avoid severe soil compaction when possible for best long-term performance.

Why Choose Armstrong Gold Red Maple?

• Narrow, Upright Form: Delivers shade tree presence in spaces where wider trees will not fit.
• Golden Fall Color: Provides a bright end-of-season finish that stands out in the landscape.
• Classic Red Maple Look: Familiar leaf shape and summer canopy with a more space-conscious footprint.
• Strong Landscape Structure: Adds height and clean vertical lines for streetscapes and residential yards.
• Easy Focal Point Tree: Creates a long-term anchor with shade, seasonal change, and a tidy silhouette.

If you need a shade tree with a narrow footprint and a bright golden fall finish, Armstrong Gold Red Maple offers classic maple character and focal point presence without taking over the space.