Paperbark maple, a small, woody, deciduous tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae), originates from Central China. It has an upright oval habit and grows slowly to 20 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide. The genus name is Latin for sharp and griseum means gray, perhaps alluding to the silvery gray undersides of this tree’s leaves. The paperbark maple prefers full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. It will grow in a variety of soil types, including sand, loam, or clay and is adaptable to a variety of pH levels. Balled and burlapped and containerized plants transplant well in the spring. The recommended propagation strategy is by seed or stem cuttings; young stems are the easiest to root. Its most striking feature is its exfoliating bark which starts out as cinnamon-brown to reddish-brown and then takes on a purple-brown color. The bark peels back in papery curls but remains on the tree instead of falling to the ground. This hardy tree is one of the last maples to develop fall color and the leaves persist into winter. Consider using it in a children's, nighttime, pollinator, or winter garden. Given its smaller size it is well suited as an accent tree around a patio, in a townhouse garden, or a poolside hardscape. It is also a popular bonsai tree. Quick ID Hints: Leaves are compound, trifoliolate Conspicuous pubescent petiole and lower vein axils are present Exfoliating bark Buds: 3-7 mm, brownish-black, sharply pointed, scales imbricate. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. 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.
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
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet; 24-60 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in. | Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Oval; Rounded
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf margin
Dentate; Lobed
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
3"- 6" opposite, palmately compound trifoliate leaves. The middle leaflet is short-stalked. Silvery with fine hairs on the underside; bright red and orange fall color; one of the last maples to develop fall color; leaves persist into winter. Conspicuous pubescent petiole & lower vein axils.
Fall color
Orange; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Insignificant
Flower form
Cyme; Insignificant
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Ornamentally insignificant flowers bloom from April-May.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Samara
Fruit size
1-3 inches long
Fruit detail
A schizocarp of two samaras, 1 1/2" long, wings divergent and with unusually large seeds.
Bark color
Light Brown; Orange; Red/Burgundy
Bark detail
Extremely ornamental peels of bark that remain on the tree instead of falling to the ground. Purple-brown outer bark peels back in papery curls to reveal rose-brown inner bark.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Brown to reddish brown. Buds < 1/4", brownish-black, sharply pointed, scales imbricate.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Central China
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; Songbirds
Play value
Attracts Pollinators; Pieces Used in Games; Textural; Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Samara
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Patio; Pool/Hardscape; Recreational Play Area; Small Space; Woodland