Snake Bark Maple Acer davidii
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser duh-VID-ee-eye
- Description
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Snake bark maple is a small to medium understory tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae) native to China and Myanmar. Snake bark maple is part of a group of trees known for the striped look of the bark. This feature is usually lost as they age.
This fast-growing tree reaches heights of 30 to 50 feet tall and 20 to 40 feet wide but it is often shorter and multi-trunked with arching branches and a spreading crown. It prefers partial shade to full sun in average well-drained soils.
This tree has excellent red, orange, or yellow fall color and the stripped bark provides winter interest.
It is a nice tree for use in the landscape although it may be difficult to find in the USA. Best grown in areas such as the Pacific Northwest.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: In alkaline soils, it can develop manganese chlorosis. Watch for aphids, leafhoppers, borers, scale, and caterpillars. Also note that verticillium wilt attacks the vascular system and can be fatal. Canker, fungal leaf spot, and root rots may also occur. Wind and ice may break some branches. 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:
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- 'Canton'
Purplish hue to the striped bark - 'Ernest Wilson'
- 'George Forrest'
Large leaves, dark red young shoots - 'Serpentine'
Small narrow leaves
- 'Canton'
- 'Canton', 'Ernest Wilson', 'George Forrest', 'Serpentine'
- Tags:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Canton'
Purplish hue to the striped bark - 'Ernest Wilson'
- 'George Forrest'
Large leaves, dark red young shoots - 'Serpentine'
Small narrow leaves
- 'Canton'
- 'Canton', 'Ernest Wilson', 'George Forrest', 'Serpentine'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acer
- Species:
- davidii
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China to Myanmar
- 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: 30 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Multi-trunked
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Description:
- Winged nutlet produced in profusion
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Yellowish male catkins in spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Doubly Serrate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 3-6 inch long ovate dark green leaves are mostly unlobed or weakly 3-lobed and have serrated to doubly-serrated margins. Undersides are paler. Excellent yellow, orange and red fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Green
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- White
- Bark Description:
- The green smooth bark is streaked with green and white. Becomes dull grey-brown at the base of mature trees.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Small groups
- Small Tree
- Street Tree
- Understory Tree
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Pollinators
