Faber's Maple Acer fabri
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser FAH-bree
- Description
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Emerald jade maple is a rare evergreen vine maple in the maple family (Sapindaceae) 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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Pale green to white insignificant blooms
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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
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
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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.
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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
