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Similar but less problematic plants:
Acer buergerianum Acer buergerianum tree
Acer circinatum Form
Acer griseum Young tree form.
Native alternative(s) for Acer tataricum:
Acer floridanum Form
Cercis canadensis tree form with pink blooms
Cornus florida Cornus florida
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Acer capillipes Acer capillipes
Acer glabrum Form
Acer platanoides Acer platanoides
Acer tataricum has some common insect problems:
Common Insect Pests of Maple in North Carolina
Acer tataricum has some common disease problems:
Common Disease Pests of Maple in North Carolina

Tatarian Maple Acer tataricum

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Acer cordifolium
  • Euacer tataricum
Phonetic Spelling
AY-ser tat-TAR-ee-kum
Description

Amur maple is a deciduous tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae) native to forests of western Asia to southeastern Europe. Genus name is latin for maple. Specific epithet is in reference to certain areas of Siberia and Mongolia.

This slow-growing tree matures to a height of 15-30 feet with a similar spread. It can grow as a small tree or a multi-trunk shrub. It prefers full sun to partial shade in moist, fertile well-drained soil. Tolerates some drought once established. It prefers to grow in areas with cool summers.

The leaves can be unlobed or have 3-5 shallow lobes. In fall they turn yellow and red. The white flowers appear in clusters in spring and are followed by showy red samaras in fall. It produces abundant seeds, forms dense monocultures, and outcompete other species.

This tree would not do well in the southeast. It is considered invasive in some midwestern states. Please consider planting native trees. See some suggestions to the left. to the left. This is required on the label in some states: Sellers shall affix a label that advises “Tatarian maple should only be planted in areas where the seedlings will be controlled or eradicated by mowing or other means. Tatarian maple seed is wind dispersed so trees should not be planted closer than 100 yards from natural areas”.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Weedy. Verticillium wilt, stem canker, leaf spots, tar spot and anthracnose may appear. Watch for aphids, borers, scale, leafhoppers, caterpillars and mites.  See potential insect and disease problem fact sheets to the left.

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#small tree#high maintenance#nighttime garden#pollinator plant#fantz#multitrunked#larval host plant#imperial moth#fall color#wildlife friendly#weedy
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#small tree#high maintenance#nighttime garden#pollinator plant#fantz#multitrunked#larval host plant#imperial moth#fall color#wildlife friendly#weedy
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Acer
    Species:
    tataricum
    Family:
    Sapindaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Western Asia to southeastern Europe
    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.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Some tolerance for drought.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 26 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Multi-trunked
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Samara
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    2 winged samaras are nearly parallel, reddish and 3/4 to 1 in wide
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Panicle
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Greenish-white upright clusters of flowers are 2-3 inches long and appear in spring.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Doubly Serrate
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are mostly ovate and unlobed but younger trees will have 3-5 shallow lobes. They ar 2-4 inches long and 1-3 inches wide with course, irregular teeth at the margins. Petiole is pink-tinged and 3/4 to 2 inches long.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Surface/Attachment:
    Fissured
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    Thin light brown bark maturing to shallowly fissured.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Buds:
    Hairy
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Imbricate, reddish/brownish to black, 1/8 - 1/4" long. Reddish-brown to brown, with many lenticels.
  • Landscape:
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Problems:
    Weedy