Paperbark Maple

BY: Elyse Lucas

As winter approaches, it’s hard not to notice how empty and colorless the garden looks. Paperbark maple (Acer griseum) offers beauty in a barren landscape. After its leaves have blazed crimson, gold, and burgundy in autumn, and then dropped, the maple’s glorious shaggy bark is revealed. The deep cinnamon bark slowly peels away to reveal an orange-red color beneath. Small in stature and tidily oval-shaped, paperbark maple is an outstanding choice for winter interest.

Common name: Paperbark maple
Botanical name: Acer griseum
Plant type: Tree
Zones: 4 to 8
Height: 20 to 30 feet
Family: Sapindaceae

Growing conditions
• Sun: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Moist, well-drained
• Moisture: Medium

Care
• Mulch: None needed.
• Pruning: None needed.
• Fertilizer: None needed.

Propagation
• By seed.

Pests and diseases
• No major insect or disease problems.

Garden notes
• A. griseum is excellent as a specimen or placed at the back of a border.
• Paperbark maple is a perfect tree for small or tight spaces.
• A. griseum is a slow grower (6 to 12 inches per year).
• The tree produces nutlets, called samaras, that are 1½ to 2 inches long.

All in the family
• Paperbark maple used to be costly and rare, but it is now more readily available.
• Many taxonomists currently include the maple family, Aceraceae, in Sapindaceae.
• Sapindaceae also includes many species of valuable tropical fruit trees, such as longan, lychee, and pitomba.

Where to buy
• Forestfarm, Williams, OR, 541-846-7269, www.forestfarm.com
• Plant and Gnome, Charleston, WV, 304-881-7037, www.plantandgnome.com
• Tiny Treasures Nursery, Salem, OR, 503-508-7878, www.tinytreasurenursery.com

(Text by Elyse Lucas, photo courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden’s Kemper Center for Home Gardening)

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Current Articles \| Archives \| Search Paperbark Maple Plant of the Week BY: Elyse Lucas 1 As winter approaches, it’s hard not to notice how empty and colorless the garden looks. Paperbark maple (Acer griseum) offers beauty in a barren landscape. After its leaves have blazed crimson, gold, and burgundy in autumn, and then dropped, the maple’s glorious shaggy bark is revealed. The deep cinnamon bark slowly peels away to reveal an orange-red color beneath. Small in stature and tidily oval-shaped, paperbark maple is an outstanding choice for winter interest. Common name: Paperbark maple Botanical name: Acer griseum Plant type: Tree Zones: 4 to 8 Height: 20 to 30 feet Family: Sapindaceae Growing conditions • Sun: Full sun to part shade • Soil: Moist, well-drained • Moisture: Medium Care • Mulch: None needed. • Pruning: None needed. • Fertilizer: None needed. Propagation • By seed. Pests and diseases • No major insect or disease problems. Garden notes • A. griseum is excellent as a specimen or placed at the back of a border. • Paperbark maple is a perfect tree for small or tight spaces. • A. griseum is a slow grower (6 to 12 inches per year). • The tree produces nutlets, called samaras, that are 1½ to 2 inches long. All in the family • Paperbark maple used to be costly and rare, but it is now more readily available. • Many taxonomists currently include the maple family, Aceraceae, in Sapindaceae. • Sapindaceae also includes many species of valuable tropical fruit trees, such as longan, lychee, and pitomba. Where to buy • Forestfarm, Williams, OR, 541-846-7269, www.forestfarm.com • Plant and Gnome, Charleston, WV, 304-881-7037, www.plantandgnome.com • Tiny Treasures Nursery, Salem, OR, 503-508-7878, www.tinytreasurenursery.com (Text by Elyse Lucas, photo courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden’s Kemper Center for Home Gardening) Comments By Sandy Beach Wednesday, December 21, 2011 11:12 AM Is this tree available to me in Hesston Kansas? Stone Creek Nursery is our closest supplier. Post Comment Only registered users may post comments.