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 Sapindaceae (soapberry) family 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'
- 'Flame'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Flame'
Brilliant red fall color
- 'Flame'
- 'Flame'
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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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
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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
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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
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Spring flowers in panicles
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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.
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-
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.
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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.
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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
