Snakebark Maple Acer pensylvanicum
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Snakebark Maple:
Previously known as:
- Acer canadense
- Acer tricuspifolium
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser pen-sill-VAN-ee-kum
- Description
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Snakebark maple is an understory small tree or large shrub in the maple family (Sapindaceae) with a rounded habit. This tree's name is in reference to the State of Pennsylvania where this tree is native. It is also native to NC mountain areas where it can be found in dry to mesic forests.
It prefers partial shade and well-drained moist soils. It tolerates heavy shade very well and performs best in cooler summers so it struggles in the south.
The interesting bark on stems and young trunks have white striped markings giving it the common name of Snakebark. The shape of the leaves are supposedly the shape of a goosefoot giving it the common name of Goosefoot Maple. The bright yellow leaves provide fall interest and the unusual bark provides winter interest.
This tree will do well as an understory tree or shrub in woodland areas. Protect it from full sun as leaves may scorch.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Potential disease problems include verticillium wilt, leaf spots, tar spot, canker and root rots. Potential insect problems include aphids, scale, borers and caterpillars. Mites may appear. 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.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- ‘Erythrocladium’
Red twig color in winter
- ‘Erythrocladium’
- ‘Erythrocladium’
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- ‘Erythrocladium’
Red twig color in winter
- ‘Erythrocladium’
- ‘Erythrocladium’
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acer
- Species:
- pensylvanicum
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The Striped Maple has limited uses. Its porous and fine-grained wood has occasionally been used by cabinet makers for inlay material. Whistles can be carved easily from branch sections. Native Americans reportedly used the wood to make arrows and the bark to make a beverage. Farmers in the American colonies and Canada reportedly fed their cattle both dried and green leaves in the winter; in the spring, when the buds had begun to swell, they turned their horses and cows into the woods to browse on the young shoots. Native Americans used the Striped Maple to treat a variety of ailments including bronchial and kidney troubles, colds, and coughs.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Only species of snakebark maple that is native to North America
- Distribution:
- USA: CT , GA , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV Canada: NB , NS , ON , PE
- 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. It is an important browse plant for many mammals.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Shade
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Tolerates heavy shade.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 35 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 12 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Irregular
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 1 inch long winged samaras in pendulous chains. In North Carolina, the samaras are available from June to September.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 1/3 inch flowers are greenish-yellow, regular, pentamerous in 6 inch long racemes, Bloom time is April- May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 5-7 inch long and wide leaves are 3 lobed at the apex and palmately veined. Yellow to red-orange fall foliage.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Green
- Light Brown
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Bark Description:
- Young bark as vertical white stripes which can disappear with age and turn more reddish brown.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Bud Terminal:
- Only 1 terminal bud, larger than side buds
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- The branches are reddish and the terminal buds are red and taper to a point. Older stems can have green to white striped bark.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Understory Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Short-lived
