Torrey Maple Acer glabrum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser GLAH-brum
- Description
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A deciduous shrub or small shade tree with smooth bark in the Sapindaceae family. Grows well in a woodland garden. Prefers dappled shade, moist soils, and protection from the wind. It is primarily grown for its ornamental red fruit and has interesting red twigs and stand out yellow-to-red fall color. This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned in summer after the leaves have fully developed, as it may 'bleed' sap if pruned in late winter or early spring. Works well for erosion control.
Some native American tribes use the Acer glabrum for medicinal purposes, as well as for crafting tools.
Glabrum means smooth, without hair, referring to its smooth stems and leaves. The species is named after David Douglas, a Scottish botanist who in addition to this tree, is also known for the Douglas fir.
Seasons of Interest:
Foliage: Fall, yellow to red Fruit: Late summer, red samara Twigs: Winter, red
Site: Can withstand sandy, loamy, and heavy clay soils, prefers well-drained soil and needs lots of organic matter and a low pH (acid). It performs best in semi-shade (light woodland) to shade. It prefers moist soil. It will benefit from being planted in a location sheltered from strong winds, frost, and afternoon sun.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant insect or disease problems. Can show chlorosis of the leaves (yellowing) in alkaline (basic) soils. Applying a layer of mulch around the root zone in summer and winter to conserve soil moisture and protect the roots in exposed locations or colder microclimates.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acer
- Species:
- glabrum
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- It is primarily grown for its ornamental red fruit and has interesting red twigs and stand out yellow-to-red fall color. Some Native American tribes are known to have used the stems of this plant to make drying racks, drum hoops, snowshoe frames, spears, pegs, toys, and masks. The bark was also used in poison antidotes.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Western North America
- Distribution:
- Southeastern Alaska, British Columbia and western Alberta, east to western Nebraska, and south through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Colorado to California, Arizona and New Mexico
- Wildlife Value:
- Food and shelter to wildlife
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Pieces Used in Games
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Nesting
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- erosion
- Dimensions:
- Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-trunked
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- 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
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4b, 4a, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Red winged samaras. This plant has green, insignificant flowers in April, which are pollinated by insects and followed by showy red winged samaras in late summer. Plant is dioecious.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Green, insignificant flowers in April, which are pollinated by insects and followed by showy red winged samaras in late summer. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required).
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Lobed leaves green most of the year turn yellow to brick red in the fall.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Smooth, browish gray bark
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are smooth and red in winter.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Recreational Play Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Diseases
- Erosion
- Insect Pests
