Rocky Mountain Glow® Bigtooth Maple

Rocky Mountain Glow® maple (*Acer grandidentatum* 'Schmidt') is a compact, slow-growing bigtooth maple selected for its more uniform upright canopy and vivid autumn color. It typically reaches about **25 feet tall by 15 feet wide**, making it useful as a specimen or shade tree where a broader maple would crowd nearby planting. ## Landscape character The oval to upright-pyramidal crown carries dark green, three- to five-lobed leaves through summer. In fall, foliage shifts from yellow to orange-red; small yellow-green flowers appear in spring but are not showy, followed by winged samaras. Its moderate footprint suits residential lawns, park settings, and suitable street-tree spaces. [J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.](https://jfschmidt.com/all-trees/introductions/rocky-mountain-glow-maple/) lists a 25-foot height, 15-foot spread, and slow growth. The [Utah State University Botanical Center](https://extension.usu.edu/botanicalcenter/trees-of-varga-arboretum/rocky-mountain-glow-maple) documents a more uniform upright-pyramidal form and hardiness through Zone 8. ## Growing conditions The reported range is **USDA Zones 4–8**. Plant in full sun or partial shade and give it well-drained soil. The Utah State University Arboretum describes the tree as low-water and drought-tolerant after establishment; a local water-conservancy garden instead recommends moderate irrigation and occasional deep soaking. Water through establishment, then use soil moisture and heat to guide deep, less frequent irrigation. Trees are commonly grafted onto sugar maple rootstock. In alkaline Utah soils that rootstock may be more prone to chlorosis than own-root bigtooth maple; exposed trunks can also develop winter sunscald. Fort Collins guidance warns that road salt is a poor fit, so do not specify it beside heavily salted streets. ## Breeder, brand, and patent J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co. markets the cultivar denomination ‘Schmidt’ as Rocky Mountain Glow®. Its cultivar page contains the current size and form description. The patent for Mesa Glow® (PP27,930) explicitly identifies ‘Schmidt’ as an established, **unpatented** comparison cultivar; see the [patent record](https://patents.justia.com/patent/PP27930). For local irrigation and rootstock cautions, consult the [Jordan Valley Conservation Garden profile](https://conservationgardenpark.jvwcd.gov/plants/1152/rocky-mountain-glow-maple/) and the [Fort Collins plant listing](https://apps.fcgov.com/plant-list/?view=5-rocky-mountain-glow-bigtooth-maple). ## Maintenance This is a low-maintenance tree once established. Keep the root zone evenly moist while new roots develop, then use occasional deep soaking during prolonged dry weather. Selectively prune young branches to establish sound structure, remove damaged limbs, and avoid injury to the trunk from mowers or string trimmers. Check for chlorosis on alkaline sites and sunscald on exposed trunks; routine preventative spraying is not warranted.