When it comes to fall color, few shade trees rival the autumn display of our “Sunset” family of Shantung Maple (Acer truncatum) hybrids. They’re in a class of their own when their glossy leaves turn to brilliant tones of red, orange and purple in autumn.
We agree with Dr. Michael Dirr, who writes in the August 2025 issue of Nursery Management that Acer truncatum and its hybrids “offer exceptional hardiness, vibrant fall color and adaptability – ideal for commercial nurseries and landscape projects.”
Dirr takes a deep dive into the merits and shortfalls of this unusual species, describing how he compares notes and shares observations with horticulturists, tree growers and planters around the country. Among them is Michael Hayman, a tireless tree advocate and planter and friend. Michael has spearheaded tree planting projects in Louisville, Kentucky for decades, currently serving as Special Projects Manager for Trees Louisville.
Hayman is among the many expert horticulturists across the continent who trial our new tree introductions for years before deeming them suitable (or not) for their local growing conditions. Each year, we send trees to a network of experts for trialing in their arboretums, public parks and gardens, university and nursery trial grounds. It often takes years of observation before a tree finds its way to lists of recommended trees. Feedback from tree advocates like Michael Hayman and Michael Dirr are vital for determining local suitability.
Dirr notes that “Hayman is sourcing (testing) species and cultivars that prosper in the heavy, high pH, unamended soils of the Louisville area, including Acer truncatum and hybrids.”
We pay close attention to Hayman’s observations and appreciate his feedback on trees that he and the Trees Louisville team have planted over the years. These include a pair of our Shantung Maple hybrids planted side by side in a Louisville industrial park that are performing well.
Dirr, who co-authored The Tree Book with Keith Warren (JFS Emeritus New Plant Development Director, retired), declares the species to be uncommon but deserving of greater use. In the Nursery Management article, he names several Acer truncatum selections that are performing particularly well in the Southeast.
“Small trees, 20-30 feet high and wide, with Zone 3 to 9 adaptability, are rare, and this checks all those boxes, plus wide soil tolerances,” he wrote.
Ruby Sunset® Maple is just that – a hardy, low maintenance, small-statured tree that’s a great fit for restricted planting spaces. Of the five Acer truncatum x Acer platanoides hybrids developed by Keith Warren, this newest addition to our “Sunset” series is the most like the species admired and described by Dr. Dirr. All are described and pictured below.
Ruby Sunset® Maple
Acer truncatum x A. plat. ‘JFS-KW249’ PP 27985
Elegant leaves emerge pale green and purple-tinged in spring before turning glossy dark green. Heat and tatter resistant through the hot summer months, they turn to deep ruby red in autumn. Ease of care and adaptability are attributes of this remarkable and resilient offspring of Asian and European species. Of the hybrids introduced to date, this selection most resembles Acer truncatum in size, growth habit and appearance. Its smaller mature height and spread of 25’ x 20’ makes this USDA Zone 4b tree a great choice for restricted planting sites that call for a more compact tree.
Urban Sunset® Maple
Acer truncatum x A. plat. ‘JFS-KW187’ PP 27545
This natural born street tree was selected as an outstanding performer from our three decades effort to combine the best characteristics of Asian and European maple species. Glossy dark green leaves are heat and tatter resistant. Long lasting fall color is bright red and deepens to burgundy.
This sturdy hybrid develops a symmetrical canopy with a minimum of inputs and is easy to care for in the landscape. Vigorous and upright branches that attach to a strong central leader contribute to a compact and relatively narrow canopy and an ideal street tree form. It produces few seeds and is pest and disease resistant. Height and spread of this USDA Zone 5 tree are approximately 35’ x 20’
Pacific Sunset® Maple
Acer truncatum x A. plat. ‘Warrenred’
Glossy dark green, heat-tolerant foliage, bright fall color and drought resistance are attributes that make this adaptable tree a top performer. Durable, tatter- and drought-resistant leaves, bright red to red-orange fall color and a smaller ultimate size are inherited from Shantung Maple. The Norway parent contributes faster growth, caliper development at an early age, larger leaves and adaptability to varied growing conditions. In the 30+ years since it and Norwegian Sunset® Maple were introduced, they have proven to perform best across a wide swath of the West, the intermountain states, Midwest and mid-Atlantic states. Upright, spreading branches grow to develop a rounded crown and a mature height of about 30’ x 25’. Hardiness is USDA Zone 4b.
Pacific Sunset® is also pictured as the cover graphic for this article. They are thriving in the parking lot at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
Norwegian Sunset® Maple
Acer truncatum x A. plat. ‘Keithsform’
An upright oval tree with reliably bright orange-yellow fall color, Norwegian Sunset® Maple offers a particularly nice branch structure and uniform canopy. Its Acer truncatum parentage gives glossy foliage, heat resistance, and a cold tolerance rating of USDA Zone 4b. While growth rate, branch structure and leaf shape of this sturdy shade tree echo that of its namesake parent species, its ultimate 35’ x 25’ height and spread make it a better choice for today’s smaller scale urban landscapes.
Crimson Sunset® Maple
Acer truncatum x A. plat. ‘JFS-KW202’ PP 21838
Deep purple foliage beats the heat, looking great while casting cool shade. Thanks to its Acer truncatum parentage, it flourishes in the summer heat in regions where few purple leafed trees will thrive. Reliably hardy through USDA Zone 4, it handles the cold and wind and snow of the northern prairies, too.
Foliage resembles that of Crimson King Maple but resists tatter and scorch damage while retaining its rich, dark, glossy color through the summer months. Leaves turn reddish purple in autumn. Mature height and spread are about 35’ x 24’. More upright and narrow in form than the once popular Crimson King and Royal Red Norway Maple cultivars, it’s a much better fit for modern landscapes.
Gardeners! Because tree performance depends on a multitude of factors (climate, soils, water, wind, microclimates, etc.), it’s important to do your research before choosing trees for your site. Your best bet is to consult your local independent garden center, your state or city urban forestry department, Cooperative Extension Service, university, or local arboretum. Check to see if there’s a tree selection guide in your region such as the Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder. Morton Arboretum offers a good one for the Midwest and SelecTree is a great resource for western gardeners.
