Abstract Growth patterns of seven red maple (Acer rubrum L.) and three Freeman maple (Acer x freemanii E. Murray) cultivars grown in containers in Alabama were evaluated using monthly destructive harvests. The effectiveness of a growth modeling technique not previously described is demonstrated using the data presented for both the Freeman maple (red maple xsilver maple interspecific cross) and red maple categories. Freeman maple cultivars ‘Armstrong’, ‘Celzam’ (Celebration™), and ‘Jeffersred’ (Autumn Blaze™); and red maple cultivars ‘Autumn Flame’, ‘Fairview Flame’, ‘Landsburg’ (Firedance™), ‘Franksred’ (Red Sunset™), ‘Olson’ (Northfire™), ‘Northwood’, and ‘October Glory®’ were studied. Uniform liners of each cultivar were planted in 9.1-liter (#3) containers in March 1996. More than 75% of seasonal height and diameter growth was complete for most cultivars before mid-August, while only 25% of root growth had occurred by the end of August. The remaining 75% of root growth occurred from August through November. The greatest overall growth (based on height, diameter, and root growth increase) was for ‘Autumn Flame’ and ‘October Glory®’, both red maple cultivars; and Freeman maple cultivars ‘Celzam’ and ‘Jeffersred’. The least overall growth (based on height, diameter, and root growth increase), was for red maple cultivars ‘Northwood’ and ‘Landsburg’.