Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Acer cappadocicum 'Rubrum'

Red Cappadocian Maple

Sapindaceae

Turkey, Caucasus, Central Asia, Himalayas, western China

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height40–60 feet (12–18 m)
Width30–40 feet (9–12 m)
Maturity25 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 8
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Acer cappadocicum 'Rubrum' is a deciduous tree reaching 40–60 feet (12–18 m) tall with a spread of 30–40 feet (9–12 m) at maturity, comparable in ultimate size to the species A. cappadocicum. The crown is broadly rounded. Leaves are five- to seven-lobed, 3–5 inches (7.5–13 cm) wide, with pointed, entire (untoothed) margins. Foliage emerges deep red to red-purple in spring, transitions to mid-green through summer, then turns yellow in fall before leaf drop. The red spring color persists for 3–5 weeks before greening; in warm springs the transition occurs more quickly. Small yellow flowers appear in corymbs in April–May before or with the emerging red foliage. Yellow-colored sap is present in the petiole when cut. Root suckers emerge freely from the base and surrounding root system; in favorable conditions suckers can appear 6–10 feet (1.8–3 m) from the trunk and form a multi-stemmed thicket within 4–6 years if not managed.

Native Range

Acer cappadocicum is native to a broad area from Turkey and the Caucasus east through Central Asia to the Himalayas and western China, growing in montane mixed forests at elevations of 3,300–9,800 feet (1,000–3,000 m). The 'Rubrum' cultivar was developed through horticultural selection and does not occur in wild populations.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen or lawn tree at 30–40 foot (9–12 m) spacing. The suckering root habit requires annual management near paved surfaces, foundations, and lawn edges. Best suited to large gardens, parks, and estate plantings where the spreading root system has adequate space and sucker control is manageable. Not suited to small residential lots or restricted planting areas near hardscape.

How to Identify

Acer cappadocicum 'Rubrum' is distinguished from the species A. cappadocicum by deep red to red-purple spring foliage rather than green. Distinguished from A. cappadocicum 'Aureum' by red rather than yellow spring color. Leaves, 3–5 inches (7.5–13 cm) wide, have entire margins with no teeth on the lobe margins, separating this species from most other cultivated maples. Yellow sap in the cut petiole is diagnostic for A. cappadocicum. Root suckers from the base are frequent.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height40' - 60'
Width/Spread30' - 40'

Reaches mature size in approximately 25 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

red
green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
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Spring
Small yellow flowers appear in upright corymbs of 10–20 flowers in April–May, emerging before or with the new red foliage. Flowers are less than 0.3 inch (8 mm) across. Winged samaras develop through summer, ripening to tan-yellow in September and often persisting into early winter.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow

Foliage Description

deep red-purple in spring, mid-green in summer, yellow in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

20–30 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5–7.5. Water weekly during the first two growing seasons. Established trees tolerate dry spells of 1–2 weeks but show leaf scorch in prolonged drought or wind exposure. The red spring foliage color is most intense in full sun; shade reduces color depth and shortens the red phase. Root suckers must be removed regularly — annually in vigorous-growing conditions — by cutting at or below soil level. Summer leaf scorch occurs on exposed sites in regions with sustained temperatures above 90°F (32°C). No routine fertilization is required in adequate soils.

Pruning

Prune in late spring to early summer (May–June) after leaf-out; maples bleed sap from cuts made in late winter or early spring, which is not harmful but is messy. Remove root suckers at their point of origin as they appear. Establish the main crown by removing crossing or competing leaders in the first 5–10 years. Avoid removing more than 20–25% of the canopy in any single season.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic