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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Acer buergerianum Acer buergerianum tree
Pinus bungeana Form
Pinus mugo Form in native habitat
Acer fabri has some common insect problems:
Common Insect Pests of Maple in North Carolina
Acer fabri has some common disease problems:
Common Disease Pests of Maple in North Carolina

Acer fabri

Phonetic Spelling
AY-ser FAH-bree
Description

Emerald jade maple is a rare evergreen vine maple in the Sapindaceae (soapberry) family native to Vietnam and China.  It may struggle in zone 7 but will do well in zone 8 and higher. In warmer climates it is evergreen. but leaves will drop if temperatures drop to 20 degrees F.

In its native habitat, it can reach a height and width of 20 to 30 feet but may be smaller in cultivation. Plant it in well-drained soil with high organic matter in partial sun.

It has slender unlobed leaves that do not look like other maples. New spring growth is reddish and the winged samaras start out red and mature to brownish-yellow.

This tree can be grown in a woodland garden, as and understory tree and because it grows slowly it can be grown in a container on the patio. It can also be grown as a bonsai specimen. 

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:
#small tree#interesting bark#bonsai#interiorscape#winter interest#showy fruits#deer resistant#nighttime garden#glossy leaves#red fruits#pollinator plant#larval host plant#evergreen tree#purple fruits#imperial moth#container plant#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#small tree#interesting bark#bonsai#interiorscape#winter interest#showy fruits#deer resistant#nighttime garden#glossy leaves#red fruits#pollinator plant#larval host plant#evergreen tree#purple fruits#imperial moth#container plant#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Acer
    Species:
    fabri
    Family:
    Sapindaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Vietnam, South China
    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:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    24-60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Fruit Type:
    Samara
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Redish two seeded samaras. Mature to brownish-yellow. 1-2 inches long.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Pale green to white insignificant blooms
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Glossy deep green unlobed slender leaves with prominent veins and pointed tips. New spring leaves are red. 2-4 inches long and 3/4 to 1 inch wide
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    New shoots have red tips. Branches slim and grey-brown.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Lawn
    Patio
    Recreational Play Area
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Nighttime Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Shade Tree
    Small Tree
    Street Tree
    Understory Tree
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer