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Similar but less problematic plants:
Acer shirasawanum Form
Native alternative(s) for Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala:
Aesculus pavia Form in bloom
Amelanchier arborea Form in the spring, flowers appear before the leaves.
Carpinus caroliniana Carpinus caroliniana
Cornus alternifolia Cornus alternifolia
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Acer japonicum Acer japonicum
Acer leucoderme  Acer leucoderme
Acer rubrum Acer rubrum
Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala has some common insect problems:
Common Insect Pests of Maple in North Carolina
Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala has some common disease problems:
Common Disease Pests of Maple in North Carolina

Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Acer ginnala
Phonetic Spelling
AY-ser tat-TAIR-ih-kum jin-NAL-ah
Description

Amur maple is a deciduous small tree or large shrub in the maple family (Sapindaceae) native to Asia that prefers cool summer climates and is one of the hardier maples. The shape is variable from multi-stemmed to single trunked and rounded to open crown and can be successfully tailored to specific landscape requirements by pruning.  Its mature height is 15 to 20 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide. The leaves have a distinctive 3-lobed pattern with the central lobe being elongated. Fall color is red to orange.

While it technically is hardy from zones 3-8, it will perform best in zones 3-6.  Plant in full sun to light shade in a range of soil types. It is quite adaptable to a wide range of pH ranges but does best in well-drained soil. Tolerant of wind, dry soil, and drought. It withstands heavy pruning and can be successfully grown as a container plant.  Easy to transplant and casts dense shade.

Because of its dense shade characteristics, it can suppress the growth of native shrubs, herbaceous plants and grasses.  Also, it will take advantage of any gaps that open up in the canopy.

This smaller maple can be used as small specimen, or patio tree and even works well in a container. With its dense foliage it can be used for screening or mass plantings on blank walls of large buildings. The Flame cultivar is a large shrub with flaming fall color that can be planted in above ground containers. It is also used in Bonsai.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Opposite leaves
  • Distinct red petioles
  • Excellent yellow and/or red fall color

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  This tree is listed as invasive in some states in the midwestern and northeastern U.S.A. Please see suggested native trees to plant instead. 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.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Flame'
    Brilliant red fall color
'Flame'
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#specimen#white flowers#samaras#deciduous shrub#fall interest#understory tree#wind tolerant#aggressive#multistemmed#large shrub#pest resistant#transplant#nighttime garden#playground plant#pollinator plant#Asian garden#larval host plant#deciduous tree#fall color yellow#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#imperial moth#container plant#weed#patio#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Flame'
    Brilliant red fall color
'Flame'
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#specimen#white flowers#samaras#deciduous shrub#fall interest#understory tree#wind tolerant#aggressive#multistemmed#large shrub#pest resistant#transplant#nighttime garden#playground plant#pollinator plant#Asian garden#larval host plant#deciduous tree#fall color yellow#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#imperial moth#container plant#weed#patio#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Acer
    Species:
    tataricum
    Family:
    Sapindaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Native Americans used the young leaves as an alternative tea. The leaves produce blue, black, and brown dyes.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and northern China, Manchuria and Japan
    Distribution:
    NW and central USA
    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. Birds and butterflies are attracted to this tree.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Fragrance
    Shade
    Sound
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Easy to transplant; relatively pest-free tolerates wind, dry soil and drought
    Dimensions:
    Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Multi-stemmed
    Open
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    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:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Samara
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Up to 1 inch paired reddish samara in summer to autumn
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    Spring flowers in panicles
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Palmasect
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    2-4 by 1-2 inches green leaves with 3 lobes, the central one being elongated. Margins are doubly serrated. The central lobe is elongated. Fall color red to orange.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Fissured
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    The bark is thin, dull gray-brown, and smooth becoming shallowly fissured with age.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Buds:
    Smooth/Hairless
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Glabrous, slender, gray brown in color on branches. Gray, rougher and striped on older branches.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Lawn
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Nighttime Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Screen/Privacy
    Shade Tree
    Small Tree
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Insect Pests
    Wind
    Problems:
    Weedy