Ruby Slippers Amur Maple

Ruby Slippers Amur maple (*Acer ginnala* ‘Ruby Slippers’) is a small deciduous tree selected for its straight trunk, dense rounded crown, and bright red samaras in early summer. It typically reaches about 20 feet tall and wide, with fine green foliage that turns red in autumn. Use it as a compact shade tree or specimen where its seasonal seed display and fall color can be appreciated. ## Landscape role and seasonal interest This cultivar offers a more uniform nursery form than seed-grown Amur maples. Its branching is low and broadly spreading, but the selected straight trunk gives it a clear small-tree character. Plant it in a lawn, a generous mixed border, or as a specimen near a patio; the dense crown can also contribute to a loose screen. Allow about 20 feet of width. Small, fragrant spring flowers are not showy; the standout summer feature is the red paired samaras, followed by red fall foliage whose intensity varies with weather and site. ## Growing conditions and regional fit The breeder and Utah State University Botanical Center list Ruby Slippers for USDA Zone 3. Full sun to part shade suits it, and the arboretum rates its growth moderate and established water use low. Water newly planted trees through establishment, then irrigate according to rainfall, soil moisture, and local restrictions. The underlying species tolerates clay or loam, a broad soil-pH range, dry soil, and wind, but provide drainage rather than persistently waterlogged ground. Amur maple can seed into natural areas and is listed as invasive in some Midwestern and Northeastern states; check local guidance and remove volunteer seedlings where needed. Dense shade beneath the mature crown may limit sun-loving understory plants. ## Breeder, brand, and patent [J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.](https://jfschmidt.com/all-trees/introductions/ruby-slippers-maple/) introduced Ruby Slippers for its straight trunk, dense canopy, red early-summer samaras, and improved uniformity. Its cultivar sheet lists Zone 3, 20-foot height and spread, bright red fall color, and an upright-spreading to rounded form. The sheet gives no patent number. A 2016 patent for a different Amur maple cultivar, ‘JefUM’ (PP27,278), described Ruby Slippers as not patented at that time; that historical comparison is not a current legal-status search. See the [patent record](https://patents.justia.com/patent/PP27278). ## Maintenance Low maintenance when planted with adequate space. Prune only to remove dead or crossing branches or to preserve a useful structure; avoid repeated shearing that works against its natural rounded canopy. Keep the root zone evenly moist during establishment, then check soil moisture during prolonged drought. Monitor for volunteer seedlings, especially near woodlands, open land, or other areas where spread would be difficult to control.