Paper Bark Maple Acer griseum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser GRISS-say-um
- Description
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Paperbark maple, a small, woody, deciduous tree in the Sapindaceae (soapberry) family, originates from Central China. It has an upright oval habit and grows slowly to 20 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide. The genus name is Latin for sharp and griseum means gray, perhaps alluding to the silvery gray undersides of this tree’s leaves.
The paperbark maple prefers full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. It will grow in a variety of soil types, including sand, loam, or clay and is adaptable to a variety of pH levels. Balled and burlapped and containerized plants transplant well in the spring. The recommended propagation strategy is by seed or stem cuttings; young stems are the easiest to root.
Its most striking feature is its exfoliating bark which starts out as cinnamon-brown to reddish-brown and then takes on a purple-brown color. The bark peels back in papery curls but remains on the tree instead of falling to the ground.
This hardy tree is one of the last maples to develop fall color and the leaves persist into winter. Consider using it in a children's, nighttime, pollinator, or winter garden. Given its smaller size it is well suited as an accent tree around a patio, in a townhouse garden, or a poolside hardscape. It is also a popular bonsai tree.
Quick ID Hints:
- Leaves are compound, trifoliolate
- Conspicuous pubescent petiole and lower vein axils are present
- Exfoliating bark
- Buds: 3-7 mm, brownish-black, sharply pointed, scales imbricate.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. See potential insect and disease 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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acer
- Species:
- griseum
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central China
- 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.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Pieces Used in Games
- Textural
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Oval
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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 Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- 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
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- A schizocarp of two samaras, 1 1/2" long, wings divergent and with unusually large seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Insignificant
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Ornamentally insignificant flowers bloom from April-May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 3"- 6" opposite, palmately compound trifoliate leaves. The middle leaflet is short-stalked. Silvery with fine hairs on the underside; bright red and orange fall color; one of the last maples to develop fall color; leaves persist into winter. Conspicuous pubescent petiole & lower vein axils.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Papery
- Peeling
- Bark Description:
- Extremely ornamental peels of bark that remain on the tree instead of falling to the ground. Purple-brown outer bark peels back in papery curls to reveal rose-brown inner bark.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Brown to reddish brown. Buds < 1/4", brownish-black, sharply pointed, scales imbricate.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Recreational Play Area
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Shade Tree
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Street Tree
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Songbirds