Amur maple is a deciduous tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae) native to forests of western Asia to southeastern Europe. Genus name is latin for maple. Specific epithet is in reference to certain areas of Siberia and Mongolia. This slow-growing tree matures to a height of 15-30 feet with a similar spread. It can grow as a small tree or a multi-trunk shrub. It prefers full sun to partial shade in moist, fertile well-drained soil. Tolerates some drought once established. It prefers to grow in areas with cool summers. The leaves can be unlobed or have 3-5 shallow lobes. In fall they turn yellow and red. The white flowers appear in clusters in spring and are followed by showy red samaras in fall. It produces abundant seeds, forms dense monocultures, and outcompete other species. This tree would not do well in the southeast. It is considered invasive in some midwestern states. Please consider planting native trees. See some suggestions to the left. to the left. This is required on the label in some states: Sellers shall affix a label that advises “Tatarian maple should only be planted in areas where the seedlings will be controlled or eradicated by mowing or other means. Tatarian maple seed is wind dispersed so trees should not be planted closer than 100 yards from natural areas”. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Weedy. Verticillium wilt, stem canker, leaf spots, tar spot and anthracnose may appear. Watch for aphids, borers, scale, leafhoppers, caterpillars and mites. See potential insect and disease problem fact sheets to the left. 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
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Mature size
Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in. | Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 26 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Multi-trunked; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Cordate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Doubly Serrate; Lobed
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Leaves are mostly ovate and unlobed but younger trees will have 3-5 shallow lobes. They ar 2-4 inches long and 1-3 inches wide with course, irregular teeth at the margins. Petiole is pink-tinged and 3/4 to 2 inches long.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Green; White
Flower form
Insignificant; Panicle
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Greenish-white upright clusters of flowers are 2-3 inches long and appear in spring.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Samara
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
2 winged samaras are nearly parallel, reddish and 3/4 to 1 in wide
Bark color
Light Brown
Bark detail
Thin light brown bark maturing to shallowly fissured.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Imbricate, reddish/brownish to black, 1/8 - 1/4" long. Reddish-brown to brown, with many lenticels.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Western Asia to southeastern Europe
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
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Samara
Landscape Use
Garden tags
#small tree #fantz #multitrunked #imperial moth #larval host plant #nighttime garden #pollinator plant #wildlife friendly #weedy #high maintenance #fall color