Acer griseum

Paperbark Maple is a relatively small, slow-growing landscape tree famed for its outstanding fall foliage and highly ornamental peeling bark. Like all maples, this tree bursts into delicate (some say insignificant) bloom in April. Blooms are followed by large winged samaras and attractive three-lobed leaves, which are dark green on top and frosty blue-green underneath. Fall color is outstanding as leaves turn brilliant shades of orange and red. Finally, the leaves drop and the stunning copper, orange peeling bark is revealed.

Easy to grow in full sun to part shade; prefers slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soil. Will not tolerate drought!

Distinctions: Winner of the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society; winner of a Cary Award from the New England Botanic Garden, which highlights landscape plants with a proven performance across New England.

Zones: 4 to 8

Family: Sapindaceae

Type: Deciduous Tree

Height: 20 to 30 ft.

Spread: 15 to 25 ft.

Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade

Soil Conditions: Average, medium, well-drained soil

Bloom Time: April

Bloom Color: Green

Native Range: China

Image Credits:

• Images 1-3 by Ali McEnhill at Stonecrop Garden, Cold Spring, NY
• Image 4 (fall foliage) Jean-Pol GRANDMONT, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
• Image 5 (mature form) Plant Image Library from Boston, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
• Image 6 (spring form) Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons