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Acer tataricum

Image of Acer tataricum

Jesse Saylor

Family

Aceraceae

Botanical Name

Acer tataricum

Plant Common Name

Tatarian Maple

General Description

The creamy green clusters of spring flowers and bright fall foliage of this small maple are pretty, and its small size and toughness lends it to urban landscapes with space constraints. It is also unusually hardy, so its well-suited to the harsh climates of the far north.

Tatarian maple is a small, bushy, deciduous tree that originates from eastern Europe and Asia. Its irregularly lobed green leaves turn colorful shades of red, yellow and orange in fall and in spring its branches bear clusters of fragrant, cream-colored flowers followed by red winged fruits (samaras). In fact, it is one of the few maples with showy flowers.

It prefers sites with full to partial sun and average soil. It easy tough, easy-to-grow, relatively fast growing and works well in foundation plantings, hedges, screens or in urban tree islands.

The variety Acer tataricum var. ginnala has more lobed leaves and is the most commonly planted form of Tatarian maple. In fact, there are quite a few desirable cultivars of this form.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    7 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    3 - 7

  • Sunset Zone

    1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14

  • Plant Type

    Tree

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    15'-30' / 4.6m - 9.1m (20)

  • Width

    15'-25' / 4.6m - 7.6m (18)

  • Bloom Time

    Early Spring, Spring

  • Native To

    Eastern Europe, Western Asia

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam

  • Tolerances

    Pollution, Soil Compaction

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Light Green, Ivory

  • Fruit Color

    Red, Brown

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Yellow, Red, Orange, Gold, Crimson

  • Bark Color

    Gray, Silver

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    Yes

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Street Trees

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    No