How to Manage and ID Paperbark Maple

Chinese maple (Acer griseum) or paperbark maple is the newest of maples to catch on in landscape planting even-though introduced into the United States in 1901. It is said to be one of the most beautiful maples. Horticulturist Dr. Mike Dirr says it has "a nobility of character, great seasonal deportment, and unrivaled aesthetic qualities".

Acer griseum is one of those rare maple species with trifoliate leaves. The birch-like bark exfoliates as it ages. Being difficult to propagate, several hybrids are being developed from cuttings (it tends to root relatively easily). The tree is not an inexpensive purchase - See Paperbark Maple Photo Guide.

Scientific name: Acer griseum
Pronunciation: Ace-sir gri-SE-um
Common name: paperbark maple, Chinese maple
Family: Aceraceae
USDA hardiness zones: USDA hardiness zones: 4 through 7
Origin: not native to North America
Uses: Bonsai; container or above-ground planter; recommended for buffer strips around parking lots or for median strip plantings in the highway; near a deck or patio; specimen
Availability: grown in small quantities by a small number of nurseries

Only one cultivar exists that I can find: "cinnamon flake" which graphs onto sugar maple "Gingerbread"tm.

Height: 15 to 25 feet
Spread: 15 to 25 feet
Crown uniformity: irregular outline or silhouette
Crown shape: upright; vase shape
Crown density: open
Growth rate: fast
Texture: fine

Trunk/bark/branches: routinely grown with, or trainable to be grown with, multiple trunks; grow mostly upright and will not droop; tree wants to grow with several trunks but can be trained to grow with a single trunk; very showy trunk; no thorns;
Breakage: susceptible to breakage either at the crotch due to poor collar formation, or the wood itself is weak and tends to break
Breakage: resistant

Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite
Leaf type: odd pinnately compound; trifoliate
Leaflet margin: serrate
Leaflet shape: elliptic (oval); ovate
Leaflet venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: deciduous
Leaflet blade length: 4 to 8 inches; 2 to 4 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: great showy fall color
Flower color: pink
Flower characteristics: pleasant fragrance; showy; spring flowering; summer flowering

Proper planting is the same as planting any tree. This maple needs little pruning to develop a strong structure.

Light requirement: tree grows in part shade/part sun, in the shade and in full sun
Soil tolerances: clay; loam; sand; acidic; alkaline; well-drained
Drought tolerance: moderate
Aerosol salt tolerance: moderate

Chinese maple has a multi-stemmed habit, unusual leaves, and wonderful bark makes this a prime candidate for specimen planting in any commercial, institutional, or residential landscape. If you can find it, plant it by a patio or other prime location and light it from below for nighttime enjoyment.

The tree is hardy, grows very slowly to 25 or 30 feet tall, but, unfortunately, is difficult and expensive to propagate. It does not tolerate extended drought or other environmental stresses in the south or in poor soil (moderate drought-tolerance in sandy loam) but will grow in sun or shade. Leaves will scorch during dry summers unless provided with some irrigation. Probably best in partial shade if planted in the south. The beauty of this tree makes up for the extra effort required to grow it. If this plant could be easily propagated it would be widely used because the price of the plant would drop to levels acceptable to most people.