Tatarian Maple Acer tataricum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Acer cordifolium
- Euacer tataricum
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser tat-TAR-ee-kum
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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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
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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:
- 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
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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
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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.
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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.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Thin light brown bark maturing to shallowly fissured.
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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.
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Weedy