Acer griseum

Some trees are admired for other features than just flowers or foliage. There are many of us who easily fall head over heels in love with a picturesque bark like that on paperbark maple from China. It peels off in thin, almost paper-like shavings even on young plants which makes it one of the most sought-after items among bonsai growers. Its color is cinnamon brown first and peeled off it reveals coppery red to almost amber orange tones as it becomes glossy with age.

Deciduous leaves are palmately divided into three shallowly lobed, ovate leaflets. They are medium green during the season, and turn yellow, orange, or scarlet red in autumn – the more acidic soil, the richer colours. Their reverse is silvery grey hence its name in our Czech language – grey maple. Small, yellow flowers are borne in short, pendent racemes in May.

Paperbark maple is a slow growing species. The canopy is oval in your trees, becoming more rounded with age to almost dome-shaped, especially in multi-stemmed trees. Its mature height (40-50 years) lies between 5 and 8m tall and 4-5m wide in garden cultivation. In the wild and in arboretums and parks with plenty of root space it can grow about 10m tall. Any cutting should be done in mid to late winter to prevent from bleeding sap.

Most maples are not fussy about soil type. Still, slow growing species will benefit from some nursing in order to establish well – provide good, fertile, well-drained loam, and keep the roots moist (not wet) during the first year. The soil can be acidic for better autumn colours but it is not a must. Grow it solely in full sun. It is hardy to abt. -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 14-02-2020