The Royal Red Maple (Acer platanoides 'Royal Red') is a popular, deciduous shade tree prized for its deep, maroon-purple foliage that holds its color from spring through fall. Growing 40-50 feet tall with a dense, rounded canopy, it is an excellent, hardy specimen for landscapes in USDA Zones 4-7. 
Key Features and Characteristics:
Foliage: Glossy, dark purple-red leaves that do not fade to green in summer, providing consistent color.
Size & Shape: Reaches 40-50 feet in height and 30-40 feet in width with a rounded, oval, and dense canopy.
Flowers: Features yellow-green, clusters of flowers in early spring, contrasting with new, unfolding red leaves.
Growth Rate: Considered a moderate-to-fast grower.
Lifespan: Can live for 100 years or more under ideal conditions. 
Planting and Care Guidelines:
Sunlight: Requires full, direct sunlight to maintain its intense foliage color.
Soil & Moisture: Prefers well-draining soil but is not picky about soil type or pH. It prefers moist conditions, but is moderately drought-tolerant once established.
Hardiness: Extremely hardy, adapted to USDA Zones 4-7.
Landscape Uses: Ideal as a standalone specimen tree, for shade, or to line drives and property lines.
Maintenance: Generally requires little pruning, though any needed trimming should be done in late summer or during dormancy. 
Pros and Considerations:
Pros: Stunning, consistent color, high urban pollution tolerance, and excellent, thick shade.
Cons: Can be susceptible to stem girdling roots; not the best choice for a long-term, large-scale shade tree in some regions due to potential for structural issues, and can be messy. 
Compared to the similar 'Crimson King' maple, the Royal Red is generally considered to have a slightly better, more intense color and similar hardiness.