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Acer crataegifolium

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
AY-ser krah-tee-gi-FOH-lee-um
Description

Hawthorn maple is a deciduous small tree or large shrub in the Sapindaceae (soapberry) family native to Japan.  With its green to greenish-brown and white striped bark that resembles the skin of a melon, it garners the Japanese name urikaede which means melon.  This tree reaches a mature height and width of 15 to 20 feet.

The bark is attractive all year but provides excellent winter interest.  Shoots are greenish-red and buds are purple-red.  The upright vase shape provides sculptural interest in the landscape and requires very little pruning to keep branches up and out of garden beds.  

Provide a location with well-drained soil and occasional watering during summer dry spells.  Protect the bark from winter frost and full sun as it is prone to cracking. It is somewhat difficult to propagate and is therefore not very common.

Take advantage of the interesting bark and sculptural branches by using this tree in a winter garden.  It is also at home in an Asian themed, pollinator or nighttime garden as it is the larval host plant for moths.  The small size makes it ideal for a patio planting.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems. See potential insect and disease 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:
Tags:
#gold#deciduous#small tree#interesting bark#shrub#samaras#winter interest#fall interest#gold leaves#nighttime garden#pollinator plant#vase-shaped#Asian garden#larval host plant#winter garden#imperial moth#patio#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#gold#deciduous#small tree#interesting bark#shrub#samaras#winter interest#fall interest#gold leaves#nighttime garden#pollinator plant#vase-shaped#Asian garden#larval host plant#winter garden#imperial moth#patio#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Acer
    Species:
    crataegifolium
    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: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Vase
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Samara
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit is a paired samara, pink or red maturing to brown.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Insignificant, pale yellow to green and formed on drooping racemes.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves turn gold in fall and all drop at once making clean up easy. Leaves ovate-triangular 3-5 inches long and 2-6 inches wide. They can be either unlobed or three-lobed. Blades are dark green to bluish green and often tinged reddish above, paler green below. Petioles are red 1–2 inches long.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Green
    Light Brown
    Bark Description:
    Green to greenish brown and white striped bark that resembles the skin of a melon, hence the Japanese name urikaede which means melon. The bark is attractive all year but provides excellent winter interest. Shoots are greenish red and buds are purple red. The upright vase shape is very attractive and requires very little pruning to keep branches up and out of garden beds. Protect the bark from winter frost and full sun as it is prone to cracking.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Shoots are greenish red and buds are purple red. The upright vase shape is very attractive and requires very little pruning to keep branches up and out of garden beds.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Nighttime Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Small Tree
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Pollinators