Acer triflorum

Common Name(s):

Three-Flower Maple

Phonetic Spelling

AY-ser try-FLOR-um

Description

Acer triflorum is a tree that is not readily available due to difficulty in propagation. It is easy to transplant, and this tree prefers moist but well-drained soil. It casts moderate to dense shade and is frequently grown as an understory tree. Acer triflorum is rounded and compact when grown in full sun but upright and spreading when grown in shade.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Intolerant of alkaline soils, soil compaction, and wet soil.

Acer triflorum bark Kathleen Moore CC BY 2.0

acer triflorum stems Kathleen Moore CC BY 2.0

Acer trifolium form Kathleen Moore CC BY 2.0

Acer triflorum leaves Kathleen Moore CC BY 2.0

Acer triflorum close up of bark Kathleen Moore CC BY 2.0

Acer triflorum form Kathleen Moore CC BY 2.0

Acer triflorum fruit samara Kathleen Moore CC BY 2.0

Acer triflorum leaves 2 Kathleen Moore CC BY 2.0

Acer triflorum lot of fruit Kathleen Moore CC BY 2.0

Acer triflorum David J.Stang CC BY-SA 4.0

Acer triflorum fall leaves Abrahami CC BY-SA 3.0

Attributes:
Genus:

Acer

Species:

triflorum

Family:

Sapindaceae

Recommended Propagation Strategy:

Seed

Country Or Region Of Origin:

Asia

Distribution:

Manchuria China, North and South Korea

Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):

drought and clay soil tolerant; no serious pest problems; easy to transplant

Dimensions:

Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.

Width: 25 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.

Whole Plant Traits:
Plant Type:

Tree

Leaf Characteristics:

Deciduous

Habit/Form:

Dense

Erect

Rounded

Spreading

Growth Rate:

Slow

Texture:

Fine

Cultural Conditions:
Light:

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)

Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)

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

Soil pH:

Acid (<6.0)

Soil Drainage:

Good Drainage

Available Space To Plant:

24-60 feet

NC Region:

Coastal

Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:

4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Fruit:
Display/Harvest Time:

Fall

Winter

Fruit Type:

Samara

Fruit Length:

< 1 inch

Fruit Description:

Samaras 1" long joined at a wide angle with a fat nutlet persists into winter

Flowers:
Flower Color:

Gold/Yellow

Green

Pink

Flower Inflorescence:

Insignificant

Flower Bloom Time:

Spring

Flower Description:

Pink to greenish yellow cluster of 3 (hence the common name) flowers in April.

Leaves:
Leaf Characteristics:

Deciduous

Leaf Color:

Gold/Yellow

Green

Orange

Red/Burgundy

Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:

Gold/Yellow

Orange

Purple/Lavender

Red/Burgundy

Leaf Type:

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)

Leaf Arrangement:

Opposite

Leaf Shape:

Elliptical

Leaf Margin:

Entire

Serrate

Sinuate

Hairs Present:

Yes

Leaf Length:

1-3 inches

Leaf Width:

< 1 inch

Leaf Description:

Dark green somewhat fuzzy trifoliate leaf 3" long 1" wide with irregularly toothed margins; brilliant orange, scarlet, purple and gold fall color in October; one of the few trees to develop good fall color in shade.

Bark:
Bark Color:

Dark Brown

Light Brown

Light Gray

Orange

Red/Burgundy

Surface/Attachment:

Exfoliating

Peeling

Bark Description:

This plant has warm, ashy light brown bark, peeling in long strips bark, to reveal cinnamon orange-brown (or cinnamon red) inner bark even at an early age.

Stem:
Stem Color:

Brown/Copper

Gold/Yellow

Green

Stem Is Aromatic:

No

Landscape:
Landscape Location:

Patio

Small Space

Walkways

Woodland

Landscape Theme:

Winter Garden

Design Feature:

Shade Tree

Specimen

Resistance To Challenges:

Drought

Dry Soil

Insect Pests

Salt