Sielbold Maple Acer sieboldianum
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser see-bold-ee-AH-num
- Description
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Sielbold Maple is a small to medium, slow-growing deciduous tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae) native to Asia. The genus Acer means maple in Latin. It is named after Philipp Franz von Siebold.
It will grow 15-30 feet tall but can be grown in a pot for a smaller patio tree. Pruning will help it form either a multi-trunk or single-trunk tree. It is adaptable to various soil types in sun to partial shade. The best fall color occurs in sunnier sites.
The leaves are distinguished by having 9-11 lobes and new leaves are downy with the undersides retaining some of the downiness all year. In fall the leaves turn to beautiful red and orange tones. The spring flowers are yellow and are followed by samaras in fall.
Makes a nice tree for a small yard, as a specimen, in a container on the patio or to create an Asian theme.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant 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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- 'Kumoi nishiki'
Variegated leaves
- 'Kumoi nishiki'
- 'Kumoi nishiki'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Kumoi nishiki'
Variegated leaves
- 'Kumoi nishiki'
- 'Kumoi nishiki'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acer
- Species:
- sieboldianum
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Outstanding landscape plant. Can also be grown in pots for a smaller patio tree.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia
- 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.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Orange
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 2-winged samara matures in fall.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Yellow flowers produced in corymbs and can contain both sexes or just male flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Palmasect
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 3 to 4 in. opposite, simple leaves with 9 to 11 lobes. Young leaves hairy and undersides remain hairy. Yellow-orange fall color
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Smoothe gray-brown bark
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The young shoots are green to red, thinly covered with white hairs in their first year.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Pollinators
