Vine Maple is a vine-like deciduous tree or large shrub in the maple family (Sapindaceae) native to moist woodlands and streambanks in western North America. Genus name is the Latin name for a maple tree The species name means rounded or circular, referring to the outline of the leaf shape. Considered to be the most useful native tree for the landscape in the Pacific Northwest. It is closely related to Japanese maples. Vine maple grows 10 to 25 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide, it has an upright character in sunny locations but has a delicate horizontal habit in the shade. Grow this tree in partial shade in humus-rich well-drained moist soils for best performance. Consistent moisture is ideal and t will not tolerate hot dry conditions. Heavy pruning is not recommended or its unique form will be lost. Propagation is vegetative layering. The short trunk has several branches turning and twisting from the base with showy red-green bark. The leaves are bright emerald green in the spring and become stunning yellows, oranges, and reds in the fall. Consider using in a shady border or small groupings in the home landscape. An excellent choice for a patio tree, lawn specimen, or in naturalized areas. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. See potential insect and disease fact sheets to the left. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common maple diseases and insect pests. More information on Acer .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Moist
Available space
24-60 feet
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in. | Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
Almost round heart-shaped base lobed or toothed leaves. They are 3 to" long and wide with 7 to 9 lobes. Spring growth has a reddish tinge. If planted in the sun red, orange or yellow fall colors will develop. The foliage appears in an elegant tiered pattern.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Green; White
Flower form
Corymb; Insignificant
Flower detail
Flowers in clusters of 3-6, perfect or staminate (male), long stalk, sepals deep red, petals greenish white, 6-10 stamens.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Samara
Fruit size
1-3 inches long
Fruit detail
2 winged samara deep red when mature 2" long
Bark color
Dark Brown; Red/Burgundy
Bark detail
The trunk is green when young, reddish-brown and smooth as it ages.
Stem detail
Multistemmed
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Western North America
Distribution
AK, CA, OR, WA
Wildlife value
Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed.
Attracts
Moths; Pollinators
Play value
Colorful; Shade; Textural; Wildlife Nesting
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Samara
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn; Naturalized Area; Patio; Riparian; Woodland
Landscape theme
Nighttime Garden; Pollinator Garden; Shade Garden; Water Garden
Design feature
Small Tree; Specimen
Garden tags
#stream banks #deciduous #small tree #large shrub #deciduous tree #fall color red #fall color orange #fall color yellow #deciduous shrub #imperial moth #larval host plant #nighttime garden #full sun tolerant #fall interest #lawn tree #naturalized area #pollinator plant #frost tolerant #patio #wildlife friendly #woodland #small groups #partial shade tolerant