Chalk Maple Acer leucoderme
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Acer nigrum var. leucoderme
- Acer saccharum subsp. leucoderme
- Acer saccharum var. leucoderme
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser sah-KAY-rum loo-koh-DERM
- Description
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Chalk maple is a deciduous small tree or shrub in the maple family (Sapindaceae) native to North Carolina, south to Florida, and west to Texas. It is found growing as an understory tree in moist, rocky soils on river banks, ravines, woods and cliffs. Leucoderme, Latin for white skin, refers to the tree's bark and the common name of chalk maple
The tree will grow 25 to 30 feet tall, often with a multiple trunk, and spread 25 feet wide with a rounded crown. Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Prune to a single trunk if desired.
The fall leaf color is beautiful turning bright yellow to scarlet. The bark is chalk white on mature trees adding some winter interest.
Use this tree as an understory tree or a shade tree. It is drought and shade tolerant.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. 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.
- 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:
- leucoderme
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Shade trees, bonsai, maple syrup.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Native (USA)
- Distribution:
- Southeast; TX to NC and south to northwest FL
- 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. Early spring source of nectar for bees. The seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. Butterflies and other pollinating insects enjoy the nectar from the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Shade
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Pest free, highly shade and drought tolerant, and heat tolerant
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Multi-stemmed
- Oval
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a paired brown samara, less than an inch long, with a 50 to 60 degree angle maturing in autumn. In North Carolina, samaras are available from May to September.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Raceme
- Umbel
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Description:
- Regular & pentamerous. In North Carolina, the greenish-yellow flowers are available from March to April.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Orange
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Opposite, simple leaves; brilliant yellow-orange to cardinal crimson fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Black
- Light Gray
- White
- Bark Description:
- Pale gray to chalky white bark on upper part of trunk. The bark becomes ridged and blackish at the base as it ages.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Hairy tips
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Fine, reddish brown, with vertical lenticels. Essentially glabrous.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Understory Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heat
- Insect Pests
