Maple Acer ginnala
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser jin-NAY-luh
- Description
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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:
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- 'Flame'
Fiery red fall color
- 'Flame'
- 'Flame'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Flame'
Fiery red fall color
- 'Flame'
- 'Flame'
- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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 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
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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
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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
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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
- 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
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Grayish brown on older branches; smooth with darker striations
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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:
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Shade Tree
- Small Tree
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Insect Pests
- Wind
- Problems:
- Weedy
