Crimson Sentry Maple

Add vertical drama and rich purple foliage to tight Twin Cities lots with Crimson Sentry Maple — an upright, narrow Norway maple ideal for Minnetonka, St. Louis Park, and Bloomington street plantings.

About Crimson Sentry Maple

Why You'll Love Crimson Sentry Maple

Specimen tree

Ornamental maples are anchor specimens for the front yard or focal-point plantings. Their fall color rivals any tree in the Minnesota landscape.

Shade tree replacement

For homeowners replacing emerald-ash-borer-killed ash trees, hardy maples are a top choice — similar canopy, similar growth rate, and rock-solid in zone 4.

Fall color

Minnesota fall is famous worldwide and maples are a big reason why. Reliable orange-red-gold display every October.

Narrow columnar purple-leaved Norway maple

Holds its deep maroon color all summer; narrow form fits where wider trees can't. That's why Crimson Sentry Maple has earned a spot in our Minnesota launch catalog — it's a maple we're confident will thrive in your Twin Cities landscape.

Planting Crimson Sentry Maple in the Twin Cities

Best planting window: Spring (mid-April through early June) or early fall (late August through late September). Avoid planting during peak summer heat — Twin Cities heat waves can stress newly installed root balls.

Site selection: Full sun to part shade. Japanese maples prefer part shade with afternoon protection. Choose a location with the mature size of 20-25ft tall × 12-15ft wide in mind — give Crimson Sentry Maple room to fill out without crowding fences, sidewalks, or neighboring plants.

Soil prep: Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam. Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil — amend with compost. If your Twin Cities yard has heavy clay (common in Plymouth, Eden Prairie, and Wayzata), amend the planting hole with 25-30% compost to improve drainage. For sandy soils in parts of Anoka and Washington counties, mix in compost to improve water retention.

How to plant:

1. Dig a hole 2× the width of the root ball and the same depth.
2. Loosen the sides of the hole — slick clay walls block root expansion.
3. Set Crimson Sentry Maple so the top of the root ball is 1-2" above grade.
4. Backfill with native soil mixed 25% with compost. Tamp gently.
5. Water deeply (5+ gallons) immediately after planting.
6. Mulch 2-3" deep, keeping mulch 2" away from the stem.

Watering & Care

First year (establishment): Water deeply 1-2× per week from April through October. Crimson Sentry Maple needs consistent moisture to develop a strong root system for its first Minnesota winter. Check soil moisture 4-6" deep — water when the top 2-3" feels dry.

Established (year 2+): Prefers consistent moisture, especially in first two years. Tolerates short dry spells once established. During typical Twin Cities summers, supplemental water during 2+ week dry spells is enough.

Winter prep: Water deeply in late October before ground freeze — this protects Crimson Sentry Maple through dry winter winds. Apply a fresh 2-3" layer of mulch in November to insulate the root zone through deep freezes.

Pruning: Prune in late summer or early fall when sap flow is reduced. Avoid spring pruning when sap is rising — heavy bleeding stresses the tree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Crimson Sentry Maple hardy in Minnesota?
Yes. Crimson Sentry Maple is rated for zones 4-8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — the Twin Cities metro is zone 4b–5a, well within its hardiness range. Holds its deep maroon color all summer; narrow form fits where wider trees can't.

How fast does Crimson Sentry Maple grow?
Moderate — 12-24 inches per year for most ornamental maples. Expect mature size (20-25ft tall × 12-15ft wide) within 5-8 years depending on site conditions and care.

Will deer eat Crimson Sentry Maple?
Moderately deer-resistant. In high-deer-pressure suburbs (Wayzata, Stillwater, Hudson), supplemental fencing or repellents may help young plants establish.

Can I plant Crimson Sentry Maple in part shade?
Full sun to part shade. Japanese maples prefer part shade with afternoon protection.

What size gallon should I buy?
We typically offer Crimson Sentry Maple in #2, #5, #10, and sometimes larger gallon sizes. Smaller sizes establish faster and cost less; larger sizes give instant impact. For most Twin Cities residential landscapes, #5 or #10 gallon is the sweet spot.

Where We Deliver

Three Timbers Minnesota delivers and installs Crimson Sentry Maple across the Twin Cities metro — Minneapolis, St. Paul, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Edina, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Wayzata, Bloomington, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Lakeville, Eagan, Roseville, Shoreview, Stillwater, Woodbury, Hudson, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Chanhassen, Excelsior, Victoria, Chaska, and surrounding communities. Live Crimson Sentry Maple grown for our climate and delivered fresh from our Waconia, MN nursery.