Celebration maple Acer x freemanii Celebration
Description & features
British Grown - The British Grown logo denotes plants and trees that have been both propagated and grown in the UK. Read more
Select plant type
Bare root guideSize and quantity
All prices include VAT
All prices include VAT
All prices include VAT
All prices include VAT

British Grown - The British Grown logo denotes plants and trees that have been both propagated and grown in the UK. Read more
Product description
ACER X FREEMANII CELEBRATION - Celebration Maple
Characteristics
This fast growing tree has an upright oval shape and will grow to a height of 15m (50ft). One of the hybrid maples cultivated by crossing red maple (Acer rubrum) and silver maple (Acer saccharinum) this cultivar has been chosen for its wonderful autumn colour and fast growth rate. It gets its fast growth from the silver maple and vibrant yellow, orange and red autumn colours from the red maple. Unlike its red maple parent, it guarantees good yearly displays of colour.
Where to grow
While it prefers rich well drained soils it is tolerant of almost all soil types. It will cope with partial shade but performs better in full sun. As it is not a small tree it is better to give it some space. It can be brittle in high winds.
Did you know?
The group of Acers that cross between rubrum and saccharinum are named after the Californian born botanist Oliver Freeman who in 1933, at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington D.C., was the first to synthesize this hybrid that naturally occurs in the wild.
Features
- Mature height
- Medium - 10-15 metres
- Spread
- 5-10 metres
- Shape / habit
- Conical
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Soil type
- Clay
- Chalk/Limestone
- Light sandy
- Sun levels
- Full sun
- Partial shade
- Difficulty / hard to grow
- Easy
- Evergreen / Deciduous
- Deciduous
- Season of interest
- Autumn
- Summer
- Autumn colour
- Orange
- Red
- Yellow
- Leaf
- Green
- Foliage
- Dense
- Large Leaves
- Uses
- Screening
- Parkland Tree
- City/Urban Sites
- Country/Farmland
Features
- Mature height
- Medium - 10-15 metres
- Spread
- 5-10 metres
- Shape / habit
- Conical
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Soil type
- Clay
- Chalk/Limestone
- Light sandy
- Sun levels
- Full sun
- Partial shade
- Difficulty / hard to grow
- Easy
- Evergreen / Deciduous
- Deciduous
- Season of interest
- Autumn
- Summer
- Autumn colour
- Orange
- Red
- Yellow
- Leaf
- Green
- Foliage
- Dense
- Large Leaves
- Uses
- Screening
- Parkland Tree
- City/Urban Sites
- Country/Farmland
Aftercare
Pruning Acer X Freemanii Celebration
Acer X freemanii Celebration does not require regular pruning. If you do wish to shape the tree, train young growth, this will encourage the establishment of a sturdy frame.
Prune diseased and damaged stems as soon as you spot them. To remove these, cut the full stem, cutting flush with the main stem.
What time of year should I prune? Prune in winter (November to January) when the plant is dormant. Acers will ‘bleed’ sap if pruned too early.
For the continued healthy growth of your trees, shrubs or hedging it is vital that you follow the advice below.
Watering
The main reason that plants die within 12 months of having been planted is lack of water. It is essential throughout the spring and summer, to give a heavy enough watering to enable the water to penetrate right down to the deepest root level of the tree. In hot dry spells give the equivalent of 2 bucketfuls every three days.
Weed Control
One of the most common causes of lack of water is competition from grass. When trees are first establishing, the grass roots would be at the same level as the tree roots and are far more efficient at taking up water and thus choke the tree. It is vital for 3 years after planting that your tree or hedge has a circle or strip one metre wide completely free of grass. The way to eliminate grass in order of effectiveness is:
- Spray off the grass with a glyphosate based weed killer such as Roundup. Apply each year for the first 3 years. It is best applied when the tree is dormant as it is absorbed through green leaves and kills the plant off at the roots.
- Firmly fit a mulch mat around the base of the tree by tucking the edges into the soil and put a thick layer of bark mulch on top of this. This can be done after the initial spraying with glyphosate and should avoid the need for further spraying.
Mowing or strimming is NOT an answer to the problem. Each time you mow, the grass will grow back more vigorously and strimming invariably leads to lacerated trunks.
Staking
If trees are not correctly secured they will rock in the planting pit. Roots not firmly in contact with the soil are unable to take up moisture and nutrients, resulting in die back or death of the tree. Check, particularly after windy weather, that stakes are still solidly in the ground keeping the base of the trunk firm. The purpose of the stakes is to anchor the roots. Flexing in the wind, higher up the trunk, is not necessarily a problem if the roots are firm.
Bellow is list of the correct system to use to secure your trees.
- 40/60, 60/80, 80/100 whips - Unless rabbit/deer problem no need to stake.
- 100/125, 125/150 1.2m Cane and Easi tie.
- 150/175 1.2m square stake and a buckle tie and spacer.
- 175/250, 6/8, 8/10 15L 1.65 Tree stake and a buckle tie and spacer.
- All larger trees. 2 x 1.65 Tree stake and cross rail with 38mm cushion spacer and 1m of 38mm strapping.
Ties
Always use our recommended tree ties or strapping. These are designed and manufactured with the correct amount of give to hold the tree firm without strangling it. They should be checked at the end of each growing season for adjustment as the trunk thickens. Non proprietary materials such as baler twine will cut into the bark and should not be used.
Protection from Animal Damage
Rabbits, deer, sheep, cattle and horses can all potentially damage trees. Ask us for advice on the most appropriate guards for your trees or hedge. Squirrels are also a terrible pest when trees get to about 20ft tall but there is no protection available.
By Brenda Haley on 30/11/2013
I planted one of these beautiful trees in the corner of my 2 acre pasture. My concern is that they may be toxic to horse when the leaves are red? I have found both yes and no in my internet research. Should I remove this tree?
By Simon on 03/01/2014
I am afraid that I am not an expert on what is toxic to horses. But from my research Acer Rubrum, is toxic when red. So there is a chance this will be too as Acer Rubrum is one of the trees that have been crossed to create this tree. The other being Acer saccharinum.
Sorry I couldn’t be more precise.