Red Leaf Tree identification: Now with Pic

Welsh_Totster

Help! At the top of the garden is what I thought was a dead tree. We only moved in in February and now Im seeing whats popping up in the garden. This particular tree has a smooth silvery bark, it has been hacked by the previous owners and I think it would have been about 30ft tall before hacking.

It looked like a tall tree stump, dead. However in the past week or so its sprouted leaves from around where its been hacked and they are the most gorgeous deep bright red Ive ever seen. Its beautiful! Theres not many leaves on it as I can see its struggled to sprout but I want to encourage it as its so lovely. The leaves are a kind of maple shape but Im not sure if it is a maple, as Ive read that red maples actually grow green then turn red, not sprout red.

So Im stumped (excuse the pun) anyone have any idea what it might be? Ive not got a pic yet but i can arrange for one later.

westiea

hmm difficult without a pic but could be Acer platanoides 'Crimson King' especially if its been hacked as they do get big.

Welsh_Totster

Thanks for that, I will take a pic tonight when I get home for easier ID.

Zanderman

Welsh_Totster wrote: »

The leaves are a kind of maple shape but Im not sure if it is a maple, as Ive read that red maples actually grow green then turn red, not sprout red.

Several maples actually start red and turn green - common examples include sycamore (reddish when just emerging from buds, and field maple (very reddish when the leaves are young) - so do bear in mind it might all turn green when the leaves are fully formed/full-size.

Welsh_Totster

Thanks Zanderman, these leaves are such a fantastic red colour I was taken aback. Hmmm they might turn green you say?, I shall keep a close eye on them then and see how it develops. Still going to take a photo though as its so pretty!

Welsh_Totster

I now have a pic and its deffo a Maple, but which type?!

westiea

hi
thanks for pic - i am sure it is Acer platanoides 'Crimson King' or at least a variety of Acer platanoides - large leaves are usually indicative of a large tree/shrub .
Very pretty leaves but it will get big!

Welsh_Totster

Thanks westiea, that's v helpful! I think thats why it got hacked because it looks like it would have been large. Well there's not much to it now so I think it will have a few years of growing freely before getting pruned by me to get it into some kind of decent shape. It's too pretty to get rid of, I think I just need to keep an eye on it and keep it tidy and not let it get out of hand.

Thanks again!

ERICS_MUM

Welsh_Totster wrote: »

I now have a pic and its deffo a Maple, but which type?!

What a lovely contrast between the silvery bark and rich red leaves.

Welsh_Totster

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

What a lovely contrast between the silvery bark and rich red leaves.

It is beautiful isnt it? It just needs looking after properly I think, Im glad its sprouted new shoots.