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.
Slow to moderate grower reaching 10–25 ft. tall and wide with a bushy spreading crown and a short trunk. Plant in full sun to partial shade. It prefers cool, shady, moist soil.
The lobed leaves turn brilliant yellow, orange to red in autumn and are on slender stalks usually longer than the blade. The spring flowers are followed by paired winged samaras in fall.
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. It could be used in naturalized areas and is suited to the mountains of NC.
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:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- 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 Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- 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-yellow developing purplish red, often greenish on one side.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Pollinators
