Snake bark maple is a small to medium understory tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae) native to China and Myanmar. Snake bark maple is part of a group of trees known for the striped look of the bark. This feature is usually lost as they age. This fast-growing tree reaches heights of 30 to 50 feet tall and 20 to 40 feet wide but it is often shorter and multi-trunked with arching branches and a spreading crown. It prefers partial shade to full sun in average well-drained soils. This tree has excellent red, orange, or yellow fall color and the stripped bark provides winter interest. It is a nice tree for use in the landscape although it may be difficult to find in the USA. Best grown in areas such as the Pacific Northwest. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: In alkaline soils, it can develop manganese chlorosis. Watch for aphids, leafhoppers, borers, scale, and caterpillars. Also note that verticillium wilt attacks the vascular system and can be fatal. Canker, fungal leaf spot, and root rots may also occur. Wind and ice may break some branches. See potential insect and disease problem 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.
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Mature size
Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in. | Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Multi-trunked; Spreading
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Doubly Serrate; Serrate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
3-6 inch long ovate dark green leaves are mostly unlobed or weakly 3-lobed and have serrated to doubly-serrated margins. Undersides are paler. Excellent yellow, orange and red fall color.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower form
Catkin; Insignificant
Flower detail
Yellowish male catkins in spring.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit type
Samara
Fruit detail
Winged nutlet produced in profusion
Bark color
Green; Light Brown; Light Gray; White
Bark detail
The green smooth bark is streaked with green and white. Becomes dull grey-brown at the base of mature trees.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
China to Myanmar
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
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Samara
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Nighttime Garden; Pollinator Garden
Design feature
Shade Tree; Small groups; Small Tree; Street Tree; Understory Tree
Garden tags
#deciduous shrub #deciduous #street tree #deciduous tree #small tree #shade tree #winter interest #imperial moth #larval host plant #nighttime garden #partial shade tolerant #interesting bark #fall interest #fall color yellow #fall color red #fall color orange #pollinator plant #wildlife friendly