11/19/2023 0 Comments Paperbark maple barkThe bark on the trunk and limbs peels and curls, but remains on the trunk and is a beautiful contrast to the rose-brown inner bark. It is especially noted for its exfoliating orange to copper bark and showy orange fall color. It can be a single or multiple trunked tree. The paperbark maple is a small, deciduous oval tree with slender branches. Paperbark maples have few problems and require little pruning, but do not tolerate drought. In its native habitat, it grows in the understory of forests. These easy-to-grow trees tolerate clay soil and will grow in full sun to part shade. It likes average to slightly acidic, medium moist to well-drained soil. The paperbark maple grows in zones 4-8, which makes it a perfect tree for Michigan. Wilson was an avid plant collector and explorer, introducing about 2,000 Asian plant species to the West. It was soon introduced to the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. Ernest Henry “Chinese” Wilson (1876 – 1930) brought the tree from China to England in 1899. Paperbark maples are native to central China. Maple trees are an important component of the deciduous forests of North America, Europe and Asia. Trees from this family are found across the North Temperate Zone from North America to Japan. Paperbark maple was formally in the Aceraceae family, which had about 110 species. Paperbark maple is a member of the Sapindaceae family, which was formed from the genera from two former families, Aceraceae (maple) and Hippocastanaceae (horse chestnuts and buckeyes). Paperbark maple, Acer griseum, is a true showstopper, being one of those trees that is spectacular in the landscape anytime of the year. As the cooler weather settles into Michigan and vibrant leaves steal the show, you may want to think beyond the fall colors and investigate trees that add to the landscape not only in fall, but throughout the rest of the year. All-season trees provide interest to your landscape with changing leaf colors, flowers, fruit or interesting bark throughout all four seasons. Many plants have characteristics that change during all four seasons, bringing in new seasons with anticipation of changes to come. The beauty of this tree makes up for the extra effort required to grow it. Probably best in partial shade if planted in the south. Leaves will scorch during dry summers unless provided with some irrigation. It does not tolerate extended drought or other environmental stresses in the south or in poor soil (moderate drought-tolerance in sandy loam) but will grow in sun or shade. The tree is hardy, grows very slowly to 25 or 30 feet tall, but, unfortunately, is difficult and expensive to propagate. If you can find it, plant it by a patio or other prime location and light it from below for nighttime enjoyment. The multi-stemmed habit, unusual leaves, and wonderful bark makes this a prime candidate for specimen planting in any commercial, institutional, or residential landscape. It does not usually produce surface roots and should not present a mowing problem unless allowed to assume its characteristic multi-trunked, low-branching form. The tree is hardy and grows very slowly to 25 or 30 feet. Paperbark will grow in all light conditions from full sun to deep shade it has moderate drought, salt aerosol, and soil salinity tolerance. Elongate, oval fruit with a hard brown husk are 1-3 inches long do not attract wildlife, neither do they present a clean-up problem. Inconspicuous green flowers appear in spring. It grows to 25 feet tall and nearly as wide, but often takes a vase shape or upright form with an open crown. Hardy in USDA zones 4 through 7, this tree can be used in Bonsai containers or above-ground planters, or planted in buffer strips around decks or patios.
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