Vine Maple Acer circinatum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- A-ser sir-si-NAY-tum
- Description
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Vine Maple is a vine-like deciduous tree or large shrub in the Sapindaceae (maple) family native to moist woodlands and streambanks in western North America. Genus name is the Latin name for a maple tree The species name means rounded or circular, referring to the outline of the leaf shape. Considered to be the most useful native tree for the landscape in the Pacific Northwest. It is closely related to Japanese maples.
Vine maple grows 10 to 25 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide, it has an upright character in sunny locations but has a delicate horizontal habit in the shade. Grow this tree in partial shade in humus-rich well-drained moist soils for best performance. Consistent moisture is ideal and t will not tolerate hot dry conditions. Heavy pruning is not recommended or its unique form will be lost. Propagation is vegetative layering.
The short trunk has several branches turning and twisting from the base with showy red-green bark. The leaves are bright emerald green in the spring and become stunning yellows, oranges, and reds in the fall.
Consider using in a shady border or small groupings in the home landscape. An excellent choice for a patio tree, lawn specimen, or in naturalized areas.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. See potential insect and disease 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:
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- 'Burgundy Jewel'
- 'JFS-Purple'
New growth is bronze over green - 'Little Gem'
Dwarf shrub, small leaves - 'Monroe'
Deeply cut leaves, great fall color - 'Pacific Fire'
Red bark - 'Pacific Sprite'
Dwarf, multi-trunked, slow-growing - 'Sunglow'
Dwarf, slow-growing, spring leaves are apricot and peach color
- 'Burgundy Jewel'
- 'Burgundy Jewel', 'JFS-Purple', 'Little Gem', 'Monroe', 'Pacific Fire', 'Pacific Sprite', 'Sunglow'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Burgundy Jewel'
- 'JFS-Purple'
New growth is bronze over green - 'Little Gem'
Dwarf shrub, small leaves - 'Monroe'
Deeply cut leaves, great fall color - 'Pacific Fire'
Red bark - 'Pacific Sprite'
Dwarf, multi-trunked, slow-growing - 'Sunglow'
Dwarf, slow-growing, spring leaves are apricot and peach color
- 'Burgundy Jewel'
- 'Burgundy Jewel', 'JFS-Purple', 'Little Gem', 'Monroe', 'Pacific Fire', 'Pacific Sprite', 'Sunglow'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acer
- Species:
- circinatum
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Western North America
- Distribution:
- AK, CA, OR, WA
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- 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.
- Play Value:
- Colorful
- Shade
- Textural
- Wildlife Nesting
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer normally leave this tree alone.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Horizontal
- Multi-stemmed
- Multi-trunked
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- 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:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- 2 winged samara deep red when mature 2" long
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Flowers in clusters of 3-6, perfect or staminate (male), long stalk, sepals deep red, petals greenish white, 6-10 stamens.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Almost round heart-shaped base lobed or toothed leaves. They are 3 to" long and wide with 7 to 9 lobes. Spring growth has a reddish tinge. If planted in the sun red, orange or yellow fall colors will develop. The foliage appears in an elegant tiered pattern.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The trunk is green when young, reddish-brown and smooth as it ages.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Multistemmed
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Riparian
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Dry Soil
- Heat
