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Similar but less problematic plants:
Acer saccharum form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Acer rubrum Acer rubrum
Acer saccharinum From
Acer saccharum subsp. floridanum Form
Acer saccharum subsp. leucoderme has some common insect problems:
Common Insect Pests of Maple in North Carolina
Acer saccharum subsp. leucoderme has some common disease problems:
Common Disease Pests of Maple in North Carolina

Chalk Maple Acer saccharum subsp. leucoderme

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Acer leucoderme
Phonetic Spelling
AY-ser sah-KAY-rum loo-koh-DERM
Description

Chalk maple is a small "version" of a sugar maple tree  in the Sapindaceae (soapberry) family with an oval to rounded crown. In nature, it can be found in rocky slopes and bluffs, particularly over mafic or calcareous rock. The name "chalk maple" (in addition to the Latin name, meaning "white skin") comes from the attractive smooth and thin chalky white or light gray bark on mature trees. The bark becomes ridged and blackish at the base as it ages.

Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil.  The tree will often grow multi-stemmed unless trimmed as single stem style when young.

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:
Tags:
#deciduous#shade tree#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#orange leaves#native tree#green flowers#yellow flowers#samaras#red leaves#piedmont#shade garden#yellow leaves#spring flowers#fall interest#flowering tree#showy fruits#moist soil#NC native#well-drained soil#multistemmed#pest resistant#flowering shrub#crimson leaves#dappled sunlight#nighttime garden#small and large mammals#native garden#mountains#fruits fall#summer interest#spring interest#pollinator plant#Braham Arboretum#larval host plant#fruits summer#food source summer#deciduous tree#fruits spring#food source fall#food source spring#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#heavy shade tolerant#imperial moth#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#shade tree#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#orange leaves#native tree#green flowers#yellow flowers#samaras#red leaves#piedmont#shade garden#yellow leaves#spring flowers#fall interest#flowering tree#showy fruits#moist soil#NC native#well-drained soil#multistemmed#pest resistant#flowering shrub#crimson leaves#dappled sunlight#nighttime garden#small and large mammals#native garden#mountains#fruits fall#summer interest#spring interest#pollinator plant#Braham Arboretum#larval host plant#fruits summer#food source summer#deciduous tree#fruits spring#food source fall#food source spring#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#heavy shade tolerant#imperial moth#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Acer
    Species:
    saccharum subsp. 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
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Multi-stemmed
    Oval
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Nighttime Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Shade Tree
    Understory Tree
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heat
    Insect Pests