This selection originated from a seedling propagated boulevard tree in Fargo, North Dakota. Similar shape as Apollo® sugar maple but wider making it an excellent boulevard tree candidate. Extremely dense foliage during the summer with earlier fall shutdown as compared to other commercially available cultivars. Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 3b to 6 Mature Size: Height: 30' Spread: 18' Form (Shape): Pyramidal-Rounded Growth Rate: Medium Foliage: Deciduous Spring/Summer: excellent medium green color throughout the summer showing no signs of chlorosis on a soil pH greater than 7.8 Autumn: ranges from yellow-orange to orange-red, depending on the year. Texture: Medium Flower: Produced in drooping corymbs before the leaves emerge. Short-lived spring interest, not overly showy. Fruit: Schizocarp (two-winged samara) ripening in fall, not showy. Light Preferences: Full sun exposure Soil Preferences: Prefers a deep, well-drained, non-droughty soil, will tolerate higher pH levels than the species. Propagation: Summer budding onto northern sugar maple rootstocks. Ornamental Attributes: Extreme density of the summer foliage and pyramidal-rounded form which sets it apart from the species (upright oval to rounded with a height of 45 feet and 40-foot spread) and other sugar maple cultivars. Landscape Attributes: Excellent medium green color throughout the summer showing no signs of chlorosis on a soil pH greater than 7. Patent Status:
Comments: The mature form is similar to Greenspire® linden (Tilia cordata 'PNI 6025') which is one of the most commonly planted littleleaf linden cultivars. Littleleaf lindens have been overplanted in many regions and Cosmic Flare® would be an excellent substitute for planting diversity. Availability: Not available commercially yet