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Maple Acer ginnala

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
AY-ser jin-NAY-luh
Description

Amur maple is a deciduous tree or large shrub in the Sapindaceae (soapberry) family. The shape is variable from a multi-stemmed to single trunked 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 with an often multi-stemmed. trunk and rounded crown.

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. I 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.

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.

Quick ID Hints:

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

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  It can be weedy and is listed as invasive in some states in the midwestern and northeastern U.S.A.

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'
    Fiery red fall color
'Flame'
Tags:
#fragrant#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#wildlife plant#weedy#samaras#fall interest#food source wildlife#wind tolerant#multistemmed#large shrub#pest resistant#transplant#nighttime garden#playground plant#pollinator plant#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#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Flame'
    Fiery red fall color
'Flame'
Tags:
#fragrant#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#wildlife plant#weedy#samaras#fall interest#food source wildlife#wind tolerant#multistemmed#large shrub#pest resistant#transplant#nighttime garden#playground plant#pollinator plant#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#landscape plant sleuths course
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Acer
    Species:
    ginnala
    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
    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 plant.
    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:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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 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
    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
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Samara
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    red winged seeds
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Panicle of fragrant white flowers in spring
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves appear in early spring. They are 1.5 to 3 in., opposite, and simple leaves with 3 lobes; bright green colors holds up in full sun; scarlet fall color
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Ridges
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    Grayish brown on older branches; smooth with darker striations
  • 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:
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Shade Tree
    Small Tree
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Insect Pests
    Wind
    Problems:
    Weedy