Douglas Maple

Scientific name

Acer glabrum

Description

The Douglas Maple is a small deciduous tree species that can grow from 1-7 m in height. This plant may also be known by the common name Rocky Mountain Maple. The bark is grayish brown coloured, thin and smooth. The leaves are coarsely toothed, have 3-5 lobes, are light green coloured, have a typical maple leaf shape, and turn a bright red orange colour in the fall. The flowers are greenish yellow, appear in drooping clusters, and have four rounded petals. These flowers produce double samaras, which are v-shaped winged seeds that first appear red then turn light brown before being released. This tree is a valuable source of food and habitat for many wildlife species, like birds and small mammals. Douglas Maple is considered an adaptable and low maintenance tree species, which can thrive in disturbed or difficult sites. It also has an extensive root system that makes it useful for controlling erosion and stabilizing shorelines. This species is often used for re-vegetating shorelines or previously cleared sites.

Planting conditions

Douglas Maple grows best in moist conditions with full or partial sun exposure. It prefers nutrient rich sand, loam, or rock soil types. It is tolerant of shade and seedlings may do better with some shade. It is also tolerant to drought, heat, and urban pollution. This tree may be naturally found on moist mountain slopes, in wet forests, and along riparian areas.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Any
  • Over 3m
• Moisture level:
  • Normal
  • Moist
  • Drought Tolerant
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
  • Shade
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Clay
• pH:
  • Acidic
  • Basic
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
  • Bareroot
• Eco Zone:
  • 2b
  • 3a
  • 3b
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
  • 6a
  • 6b
• Plant type:
  • Tree
• Height:
  • 7 m
• Spread:
  • 1 m