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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Acer glabrum Form
Acer truncatum Acer truncatum
Quercus nigra Quercus nigra
Acer cappadocicum has some common insect problems:
Common Insect Pests of Maple in North Carolina
Acer cappadocicum has some common disease problems:
Common Disease Pests of Maple in North Carolina

Caucasian Maple Acer cappadocicum

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
AY-ser kap-puh-DOH-see-kum
Description

Coliseum maple is a medium to large deciduous tree in the Sapindaceae (soapberry) family that is native to mixed forests from Turkey to the Caucasus, the Himalayas and southwestern China. Currently this tree is very commonly seen growing in North America. The genus means maple and the species name refers to a geographic region in modern Turkey where the tree was first discovered.  

Plant in full sun or partial shade in a range of soil types but prefers moist, organically rich, and acidic.  The rounded crown typically grows to 35' tall and to 25' wide, although trees in the native habitat may mature to as much as 60-80' tall. The leaves are lobed and bright green turning attractive yellow to red in the fall.  The flowers are greenish yellow and fairly insignificant but the samaras that follow add interest to the summer and fall landscape.

Unlike most maples, this species usually produces root suckers around the base of the tree to form extensive groves over time.  Coliseum maple may be difficult to source, though it makes an attractive addition to any landscape.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: See potential disease and insect problem fact sheets to the left

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common maple diseases and insect pests.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Aureum
Aureum
Tags:
#deciduous#full sun tolerant#low maintenance#fall interest#fast growing#nighttime garden#red fruits#non-showy flowers#pollinator plant#larval host plant#deciduous tree#fall color yellow#fall color red#imperial moth#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Aureum
Aureum
Tags:
#deciduous#full sun tolerant#low maintenance#fall interest#fast growing#nighttime garden#red fruits#non-showy flowers#pollinator plant#larval host plant#deciduous tree#fall color yellow#fall color red#imperial moth#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Acer
    Species:
    cappadocicum
    Family:
    Sapindaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Caucasus, Asia Minor, Northern India
    Wildlife Value:
    Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 25 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Samara
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Colorful samaras in the fall.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Corymb
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Monoecious yellowish-green flowers (separate male and female flowers on the same tree) bloom in corymbs (to 2" long) in April. Non-showy
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Palmatifid
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are 3 to 6 in., opposite, and simple with 5 to 7 lobes. They have golden/ yellow fall color.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Green
    Surface/Attachment:
    Furrowed
    Bark Description:
    Mature bark is gray green and furrowed
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Remains green through year 3, smooth and gray thereafter. Leaf stems when cut exude a milky sap.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Nighttime Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Dry Soil