(Trident Maple)

Trident maple is an architecturally handsome small oval to rounded deciduous tree with lustrous, dark green, three-lobed leaves with blue-green undersides. They turn red, yellow, or orange in fall. New growth may be purplish or bronze. The flaking, multicolored bark of this East Asian native is also ornamental. Insignificant yellow flowers in early spring give rise to winged pale-green fruits.

Trident maple does best in moist, well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade. It is remarkably...

(Field Maple, Hedge Maple)

Tolerant of shearing, pollarding and hard pruning, hedge maple is a densely branched deciduous tree with excellent heat and drought tolerance. Historically, this slow-growing tree has been used to create large hedgerows along the roadways in its native Europe.

In early spring, small clusters of bright yellow-green flowers appear and develop into pretty dangling groups of samaras, or winged seeds to turn from light green to tan with a slight pink blush. The gently lobed, dark green leaves often...

(Dwarf Hedge Maple)

Hedge maple is a small and adaptable deciduous tree from Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa. The cultivar 'Nanum' forms a globular shrub of about a third the typical height, and its three-lobed leaves are smaller and paler. The leaves often have red-tinted margins in spring. The foliage turns an attractive golden yellow in autumn, before changing finally to brown. It sometimes persists on the stem into winter. The bright yellow-green flowers are sparsely if at all produced and result in few...

(Snakebark Maple)

One of a number of maples renowned for their handsome striped green bark, this small deciduous tree is native to Japan. Dense and spreading, it bears glossy, dark green, shallowly three-lobed leaves on red stems. The leaves turn dazzling shades of red and orange in fall. The trunk and older branches are purple-brown with green and white striations. New twigs are purple-red. Clusters of small chartreuse flowers in spring give rise to bunches of dangling winged red-brown fruits that are often borne...

(Cappadocian Maple)

A close relative of Norway maple that in many ways surpasses it as an ornamental plant, this small to medium-sized deciduous tree is found from eastern Asia to the Caucasus. In spring, clusters of small yellowish green flowers decorate the twigs, opening just before the showy purple-red new leaves emerge. The five-lobed leaves mature to glossy dark green. Broken leaf stems emit a milky latex. In autumn, the leaves turn rich golden-yellow. This tree has a gray, rough-barked trunk, and often produces...

(Cappadocian Maple)

A close relative of Norway maple that in many ways surpasses it as an ornamental plant, coliseum maple is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree found from eastern Asia to the Caucasus. The leaves of the cultivar 'Aureum' are yellow in spring and fall. In spring, clusters of small yellowish green flowers decorate the twigs, opening just before leaves expand. The five-lobed leaves emerge purple red, change quickly to greenish-yellow with bronze tips, and mature to green. In autumn, the leaves turn...

(Hornbeam Maple)

Bearing leaves that resemble those of a hornbeam, this small deciduous tree from Japan is among the most refined and unusual maples. Sinuous smooth-barked dark gray branches with reddish twigs bear narrowly oval, toothed leaves with numerous pairs of lateral veins. The leaves turn gold or bronze-yellow in fall, then to brown, often persisting through much of winter. This dense, rounded tree bears chains of small greenish flowers in spring, followed by winged green fruits that mature to brown.

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(Oregon Vine Maple, Vine Maple)

Oregon vine maple is a small, clump forming, deciduous tree native to northwestern North America. In spring, it bears small drooping clusters of attractive white and purple flowers, followed by winged reddish-green fruits. The pretty fan-shaped leaves of medium green emerge from crimson buds in spring and turn brilliant scarlet-orange to red in the fall. The green bark provides winter interest.

This maple prefers partial shade, shelter from high winds, and moist, well-drained soil. It makes a...

(Ivy-leaved Maple )

The low, broad, cloud-like silhouette of this small deciduous tree from Japan makes a striking garden picture. Offering four seasons of interest, vineleaf maple bears long cylindrical clusters of relatively large greenish yellow flowers in spring, with male and female flowers occurring on separate trees. On female trees showy masses of pinkish winged fruits follow the flowers, persisting through summer. Shiny, bright green, three-parted leaves that resemble Boston ivy foliage expand shortly after...

(David's Maple)

One of a number of maples renowned for their handsome white-striped green bark, this small deciduous tree is native to central China. A variable plant, it has an arching or upright, dense or open habit, and small to large, toothed, sometimes shallowly lobed leaves. Fall color may be brilliant or dull. The dangling winged fruits are often red-tinged and may be borne in spectacular profusion. They are preceded by inconspicuous yellow-green flowers in spring. Look for named selections such as 'Serpentine',...