Mountain Maple

Scientific name

Acer spicatum

Description

The Mountain Maple is a mid-sized shrub and the smallest Maple species, ranging from 3-5 m tall. The leaves are a triangular shape with 3-5 lobes each and range from 6-12 cm long and wide in size. The upper side of the leaf is a yellowish green with a pubescent white underside. The leaves also have coarsely and irregularly toothed margins and the leaf petioles are red in colour. The flowers are small, pale yellow to green in colour, and form in dense upright clusters. Both male and female flowers may be found within the same cluster. Vibrant red fruit grows with wings that are about 2-3 cm long. This shrub is very important for riparian edges as it is great for preventing erosion on stream banks and steep slopes using its dense layered root system.

Planting conditions

Mountain Maple prefers full sun and moist soil conditions ranging from clay to sandy loam. The natural habitats of the Mountain Maple are woodlands, swamps/marshes, and rocky bluffs.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Any
  • Over 3m
• Moisture level:
  • Normal
  • Moist
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Clay
  • Rocky
• pH:
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
  • Bareroot
• Eco Zone:
  • 2a
  • 2b
  • 3a
  • 3b
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
  • 6a
• Plant type:
  • Shrub
• Height:
  • 3-5m