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Acer cissifolium is often confused with:
Acer negundo Acer negundo
Native alternative(s) for Acer cissifolium:
Acer rubrum Acer rubrum
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Acer maximowiczianum Acer maximowiczianum habit
Acer palmatum Leaf Buds - March - Warren Co., NC
Acer saccharum subsp. leucoderme  Acer leucoderme
Acer cissifolium has some common insect problems:
Common Insect Pests of Maple in North Carolina
Acer cissifolium has some common disease problems:
Common Disease Pests of Maple in North Carolina

Vine-Leaved Maple Acer cissifolium

Phonetic Spelling
AY-ser siss-ih-FOH-lee-um
Description

Ivy-leaved maple is a deciduous tree in the Sapindaceae (soapberry) family native to mountainous areas of Japan. Genus name is the Latin name for a maple tree. Specific epithet refers to the similarity of the trifoliate leaves to the leaves of some vines in the genus Cissus.

It is a fairly small tree typically growing up to 20 to 30 feet tall. While the initial growth is upright oval, with age it may become distinctly mushroom-like with a wide-spreading, globose form.  Its preference is for partial shade in moist fertile well-drained soils but will tolerate full sun in cool summer climates. Consistent moisture is needed for best performance.

In spring 4 inch long catkins appear and are followed by two winged samaras. The leaves turn a modest yellow to red in fall.

Use this tree as a specimen, a shade tree, in an Asian garden or a street tree. Best grown in cool summer climates.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious 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:
A Sampling of Shade Gardens
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#full sun tolerant#samaras#red leaves#yellow leaves#fall interest#nighttime garden#pollinator plant#larval host plant#deciduous tree#partial shade tolerant#imperial moth#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#full sun tolerant#samaras#red leaves#yellow leaves#fall interest#nighttime garden#pollinator plant#larval host plant#deciduous tree#partial shade tolerant#imperial moth#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Acer
    Species:
    cissifolium
    Family:
    Sapindaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Japan
    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: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Oval
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    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
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Samara
    Schizocarp
    Fruit Description:
    Two-winged samara
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    Small fragrant yellow flowers bloom in pendant racemes (to 4” long) in spring.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Obovate
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are 1.5 to 3 inches long, opposite, and trifoliate with three individual leaves. They are obovate or ovate to elliptic with pointed tips. The petiole is long and reddish, margins coarsely serrated. They are olive green in summer and have a modest yellow, red fall color. Undersides have whitish tufts in the axils of the veins.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    Smooth gray bark
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Buds:
    Hairy
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Slender, pubescent, reddish purple in first year turning to a gray brown in the second year. Buds are terminal: reddish-purple 3/16" long, valvate, pubescent, lower part of bud glabrous. laterals: similar, 1/2 as long, appressed.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Patio
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Nighttime Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Hedge
    Shade Tree
    Street Tree
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Pollinators