{"product_id":"flame-amur-maple","title":"Flame Amur Maple","description":"\u003ch1\u003eThe Small, Ultra-Hardy Maple With the Brightest Fall Color of All\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlame Amur Maple (\u003cem\u003eAcer ginnala\u003c\/em\u003e 'Flame') is a compact small tree or large shrub prized for spectacular fiery-scarlet fall color — one of the most reliable autumn performers for cold climates. It tops out around 15–20 feet, works beautifully as either a multi-stem clump or a single-trunk specimen, and is hardy all the way to USDA zone 3. Whether you need a small-space focal point in an Edina courtyard, a fall-color anchor by a Minnetonka patio, or a tough screening shrub in Shoreview, Flame fits where a full-size maple never could.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFlame Amur Maple Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribute\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetail\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAcer ginnala\u003c\/em\u003e 'Flame' (syn. \u003cem\u003eAcer tataricum\u003c\/em\u003e subsp. \u003cem\u003eginnala\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFlame Amur Maple, Amur Maple, Ginnala Maple\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–20 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–20 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate — about 1–2 feet per year in Minnesota\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade — best fall color in full sun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate. Tolerates average rainfall once established; quite adaptable.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — extremely cold-hardy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery adaptable — tolerates Minnesota clay-loam and a wide pH range. Prefers well-drained loam.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — small, fine-textured leaves; fragrant spring flowers followed by red samaras (winged seeds)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFall Color\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrilliant red to orange-scarlet — among the most vivid of any hardy maple\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to USDA zone 3 — one of the hardiest maples available\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerately deer-resistant; protect young stems the first 2 winters\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot native — native to northeastern Asia. Very tough and hardy; it can self-seed, so site it where stray seedlings are easy to manage.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFlame Amur Maple Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSmall-Space and Patio Specimen\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt a mature 15–20 feet, Flame is one of the few maples that fits a courtyard, entry bed, or patio corner. Grown as a multi-stem clump it makes a sculptural anchor; as a single-trunk tree it offers light shade without overwhelming a small Twin Cities lot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBrilliant Fall-Color Focal Point\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe whole point of Flame is the autumn show — the fine-textured canopy ignites brilliant red to orange-scarlet, often outshining far larger trees. It's a standout in a mixed border or against an evergreen backdrop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eInformal Screen or Hedge\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlanted in a row, Flame Amur Maple forms a tough, hardy informal screen that needs little care and rewards you with a wall of fall color. Space plants 8–12 feet apart for a screen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Flame Amur Maple in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in \u003cstrong\u003espring (late April–May, after the ground thaws)\u003c\/strong\u003e for a full growing season of root establishment, or in \u003cstrong\u003eearly fall (late August–early October)\u003c\/strong\u003e while the soil is still warm. Get it in the ground at least six weeks before the ground freezes — typically mid-November in the Twin Cities. Avoid mid-summer planting in heat and humidity, and never plant after mid-October or before spring thaw.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Flame Amur Maple\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width but only as deep as the ball is tall, so the root flare sits at or slightly above grade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck for clay hardpan — if water pools and won't drain, break through the clay layer or mound-plant slightly to improve drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with the native soil mixed with 20–30% compost; don't build a pure-compost \"container\" the roots won't grow beyond.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpacing — give a single specimen 12–15 feet of clearance; space an informal screen or hedge 8–12 feet apart.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch watering ring to direct water to the roots, then flatten it before winter so it doesn't trap ice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips in a wide ring, kept 2 inches off the trunk. Never use gravel mulch in Minnesota — it doesn't insulate roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Flame Amur Maple in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeeks 1–2: water deeply and slowly every 1–2 days. Month 1–2: every 3–4 days. Month 3–6: every 5–7 days during active growth, easing off when rainfall is adequate (the Twin Cities average about 3 inches a month from June through August). \u003cstrong\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes\u003c\/strong\u003e — usually late October — so the plant doesn't push tender growth heading into winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce established, Flame is very low-maintenance and quite drought-tolerant, needing supplemental water mainly during extended droughts (two-plus weeks with no rain and temps above 80°F). Soak deeply every 7–14 days when needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Flame Amur Maple survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — easily. It's rated to USDA zone 3 and is one of the hardiest maples you can plant, fully at home anywhere in the Twin Cities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow big does it get?\u003c\/strong\u003e It stays small — about 15–20 feet tall and wide — which is exactly why it's so useful for courtyards, patios, and tight spots where a large maple won't fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it native to Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e No — Amur maple is native to northeastern Asia. It's extremely tough and hardy, but it can self-seed, so plant it where occasional volunteer seedlings are easy to pull or mow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I grow it as a clump or a single tree?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both. Flame is sold as a multi-stem clump for a sculptural, shrubby look or trained to a single trunk for a small patio tree — your choice depending on the spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it tolerate clay soil?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. Flame handles Minnesota clay-loam and a wide pH range, which makes it one of the easiest small ornamental trees to place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScarlet Jewell Red Maple\u003c\/strong\u003e — a tidy red maple with early, brilliant scarlet fall color for mid-size lots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInferno Sugar Maple\u003c\/strong\u003e — a native sugar maple selected for fiery scarlet-red fall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNorthwood Red Maple\u003c\/strong\u003e — a University of Minnesota red maple bred for extreme cold-hardiness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eServiceberry\u003c\/strong\u003e — a small native tree with spring flowers, edible berries, and orange-red fall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRed Sunset Red Maple\u003c\/strong\u003e — a larger, fast-growing red maple for full-size shade with brilliant fall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Flame Amur Maples Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a single courtyard or patio specimen, one plant with 12–15 feet of clearance is all you need. For an informal screen at the standard 10-foot spacing:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScreen length\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlants needed\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–3 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–5 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–7 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–12 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTighten to 8 feet apart for a faster-closing screen; widen to 12 feet if you want each clump to keep its own shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFlame Amur Maple Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fragrant creamy-yellow flower clusters open in May with the fresh fine-textured foliage — a quiet but genuinely scented maple, visited by early bees.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tidy, dense small canopy of three-lobed leaves; showy red samaras (winged seeds) ripen against the green in mid-to-late summer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e The main event — brilliant red to orange-scarlet that ranks among the most vivid fall color of any zone-3-hardy plant, peaking late September–October.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Multi-stem clumps show sculptural smooth gray stems that hold snow attractively; zero winter dieback in Twin Cities cold.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/alpenglow-maple\"\u003eAlpenglow Maple\u003c\/a\u003e — a sibling Amur-type maple; pair them for a layered small-tree fall display.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/autumn-brilliance-serviceberry\"\u003eAutumn Brilliance Serviceberry\u003c\/a\u003e — a native small tree with spring bloom and matching orange-red fall fire.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/northwood-red-maple\"\u003eNorthwood Red Maple\u003c\/a\u003e — a U of M red maple to carry the scarlet theme up to full shade-tree scale.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/red-sunset-red-maple\"\u003eRed Sunset Red Maple\u003c\/a\u003e — a larger backdrop maple that extends the red show overhead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Flame Amur Maple Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose Flame if you need big fall color in a small footprint — it thrives in full sun to part shade, takes clay and drought in stride, and fits under power lines and beside patios where full-size maples can't go. It's not a fit if you want a strictly native planting or a no-maintenance edge near natural areas — it can self-seed, so site it where mowing or weeding keeps volunteers in check.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"1.75\"BB","offer_id":54260806549809,"sku":"GT-T0150","price":384.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2\"BB","offer_id":54260806582577,"sku":"GT-T0160","price":452.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6' CLP BB","offer_id":54260806615345,"sku":"GT-T0180","price":356.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/flame-amur-maple.jpg?v=1779426700","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/flame-amur-maple","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}