Chalk maple is a deciduous small tree or shrub in the maple family (Sapindaceae) native to North Carolina, south to Florida, and west to Texas. It is found growing as an understory tree in moist, rocky soils on river banks, ravines, woods and cliffs. Leucoderme, Latin for white skin, refers to the tree's bark and the common name of chalk maple The tree will grow 25 to 30 feet tall, often with a multiple trunk, and spread 25 feet wide with a rounded crown. Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Prune to a single trunk if desired. The fall leaf color is beautiful turning bright yellow to scarlet. The bark is chalk white on mature trees adding some winter interest. Use this tree as an understory tree or a shade tree. It is drought and shade tolerant. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. See potential disease and insect 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.
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)
Opposite, simple leaves; brilliant yellow-orange to cardinal crimson fall color.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Flower form
Corymb; Raceme; Umbel
Flower detail
Regular & pentamerous. In North Carolina, the greenish-yellow flowers are available from March to April.
Bloom time
Spring; Winter
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Samara
Fruit size
< 1 inch long
Fruit detail
The fruit is a paired brown samara, less than an inch long, with a 50 to 60 degree angle maturing in autumn. In North Carolina, samaras are available from May to September.
Bark color
Black; Light Gray; White
Bark detail
Pale gray to chalky white bark on upper part of trunk. The bark becomes ridged and blackish at the base as it ages.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Fine, reddish brown, with vertical lenticels. Essentially glabrous.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Native (USA)
Distribution
Southeast; TX to NC and south to northwest FL
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. Early spring source of nectar for bees. The seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. Butterflies and other pollinating insects enjoy the nectar from the flowers.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Moths; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds