Unique Features: The John Pair maple comes from an eco-type (geographically isolated population of a species) of sugar maples found growing naturally the Caddo Mountain region of Oklahoma. He spent 20 years developing this cultivar, which came from a chance seedling, which is why it was named it after him. It has a more compact, rounded form, suitable for today’s smaller yards. The thick, dark green leaves have strong heat scorch and tatter resistance. 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 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.