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Acer sieboldianum is often confused with:
Acer japonicum Acer japonicum
Acer palmatum Acer palmatum 'Green Cascade' leaf
Acer shirasawanum Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Acer leucoderme  Acer leucoderme
Acer saccharum form
Acer truncatum Acer truncatum
Acer sieboldianum has some common insect problems:
Common Insect Pests of Maple in North Carolina
Acer sieboldianum has some common disease problems:
Common Disease Pests of Maple in North Carolina

Sielbold Maple Acer sieboldianum

Phonetic Spelling
AY-ser see-bold-ee-AH-num
Description

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:
  • 'Kumoi nishiki'
    Variegated leaves
'Kumoi nishiki'
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#shade tree#full sun tolerant#orange leaves#yellow leaves#fall interest#nighttime garden#pollinator plant#larval host plant#deciduous tree#imperial moth#patio#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Kumoi nishiki'
    Variegated leaves
'Kumoi nishiki'
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#shade tree#full sun tolerant#orange leaves#yellow leaves#fall interest#nighttime garden#pollinator plant#larval host plant#deciduous tree#imperial moth#patio#wildlife friendly
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Light Brown
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    Smoothe gray-brown bark
  • 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.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Nighttime Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Pollinators