Mountain Maple Acer spicatum
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser spih-KAY-tum
- Description
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Mountain maple is a native deciduous shrub or small tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae) found in the NE USA and in the mountains south to GA. Growing at a slow to moderate rate 10–25 ft. tall, forming a bushy spreading crown with a short trunk and slender branches.
The leaves are opposite and simple, 2 - 5 in. long and wide, with 3 or sometimes slightly 5 shallow broad lobes. They are coarsely and irregularly toothed with a light green hairless surface and a finely hairy underside. The leaves turn brilliant yellow, orange to red in autumn, and are on slender stalks usually longer than the blade. The bark is thin, dull gray-brown, and smooth at first but becoming slightly scaly. The fruit is paired reddish samara 3⁄4–1 1⁄4 in. long, maturing in late summer to early autumn.
Plant in full sun to partial shade. It prefers cool, shady, moist soil.
The sap is a source of sugar and can be boiled to make maple syrup. The bark contains tannins, which are used in tanning leather.
This tree is not well-adapted to cultivation so is difficult to find at nurseries.
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:
- spicatum
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northeastern North America
- Distribution:
- Saskatchewan to Newfoundland, to Pennsylvania, to high elevations of the Appalachian Mountains to northern Georgia
- 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: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 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:
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- 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
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 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:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Paired reddish samara 3⁄4–1 1⁄4 in. long, maturing in late summer to early autumn
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, greenish yellow flowers in early summer
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 2 to 5 in. opposite, simple, leaves with 3 or sometimes slightly 5 lobes; yellow, orange to red fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Furrowed
- Scaly
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Thin, brownish or grayish brown. Smooth eventually becoming slightly furrowed or scaly.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Young stems grayish developing purplish red, often greenish on one side. The bark contains tannins, which are used in tanning leather.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Pollinators
