Unique Features: The Flash Fire is derived from an eco-type (a geographically isolated population of a species) of sugar maples found growing naturally the Caddo Mountain region of Oklahoma. It is better adapted to our environment than the eastern sugar maples. The Flash Fire grows into a medium sized tree, remaining smaller than the eastern Sugar maples.  It is tolerant of drought, heat, wind and leaf tatter. The fall color arrives early and is outstanding, even in our high pH clay soil. Sunny fall days with cool to cold nights will yield the best fall colors in maples, and even the Caddo will benefit from a little extra iron and sulfur. Maples start moving sap early (late fall to early spring) and that makes them prone to ‘frost cracking’, which damages the circulatory system of the tree. To prevent this, wrap the tree from about Thanksgiving until Easter.