Maple Trees | Acer

Acer palmatum dissectum, commonly known as the laceleaf Japanese maple, is a popular ornamental tree renowned for its intricate, finely divided foliage. This deciduous shrub or small tree is part of the Aceraceae family and originates from Japan, Korea, and China. It typically grows to a height of 2 to 3 meters (6 to 10 feet) with a similar spread, making it a perfect choice for small gardens and container planting.

The leaves of Acer palmatum dissectum are deeply lobed and serrated, resembling delicate lace. Throughout the seasons, the foliage transitions from a vibrant green in spring and summer to spectacular shades of red, orange, and purple in autumn, providing year-round interest. The tree's cascading, weeping habit adds an elegant and graceful element to any landscape design.

Acer palmatum dissectum prefers a position in partial shade with well-drained, moist soil. It is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning to maintain its shape. This tree is also known for its resilience to pests and diseases. Its compact size and striking appearance make it an excellent choice for adding structure and color to garden borders, patios, and rockeries in British gardens.

Acer palmatum dissectum, commonly known as the laceleaf Japanese maple, is a popular ornamental tree renowned for its intricate, finely divided foliage. This deciduous shrub or small tree is part of the Aceraceae family and originates from Japan, Korea, and China. It typically grows to a height of 2 to 3 meters (6 to 10 feet) with a similar spread, making it a perfect choice for small gardens and container planting.

The leaves of Acer palmatum dissectum are deeply lobed and serrated, resembling delicate lace. Throughout the seasons, the foliage transitions from a vibrant green in spring and summer to spectacular shades of red, orange, and purple in autumn, providing year-round interest. The tree's cascading, weeping habit adds an elegant and graceful element to any landscape design.

Acer palmatum dissectum prefers a position in partial shade with well-drained, moist soil. It is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning to maintain its shape. This tree is also known for its resilience to pests and diseases. Its compact size and striking appearance make it an excellent choice for adding structure and color to garden borders, patios, and rockeries in British gardens.

Acer pensylvanicum, commonly known as the striped maple, is a deciduous tree native to the forests of eastern North America. It is a small to medium-sized tree, typically growing between 5 to 10 metres tall, with a slender trunk and spreading branches that create a rounded crown. The bark of young trees is particularly striking, characterised by green and white vertical stripes, giving the tree its common name. As the tree matures, the bark darkens to a reddish-brown or grey, and the stripes become less pronounced.

The leaves of Acer pensylvanicum are large and broad, usually measuring 12 to 18 centimetres in length and width. They are three-lobed, with a slightly serrated edge, and have a soft, velvety texture. The leaves are bright green in spring and summer, turning vibrant shades of yellow in the autumn before falling. This autumnal display makes the tree an attractive feature in woodland settings.

In late spring, the striped maple produces clusters of small, yellow-green flowers that hang down in delicate racemes. These flowers are unisexual, with male and female flowers often found on the same tree. Pollinated by wind or insects, the flowers develop into distinctive winged seeds, called samaras, which mature in late summer and are dispersed by the wind.

Acer pensylvanicum thrives in cool, shaded environments, preferring moist, well-drained soils. It is commonly found in the understorey of mixed hardwood forests, where it grows slowly in the dappled light. The striped maple is also known for its ability to regenerate from stumps, making it resilient in disturbed forest areas.

The Acer pseudoplatanus 'Prinz Handjery' is a striking cultivar of the sycamore maple, prized for its unique and ornamental foliage. Originating from the broader Acer pseudoplatanus species, this particular variety stands out due to its distinctive purple and green leaves, making it a favourite among gardeners seeking an eye-catching addition to their landscapes.

This medium-sized deciduous tree typically grows to a height of 10 to 15 metres, with a spread of around 8 to 10 metres, making it a suitable choice for medium to large gardens. The tree's overall shape is broadly conical or rounded, and it features a dense canopy, providing ample shade beneath. The bark of the 'Prinz Handjery' is smooth when young, developing into a more rugged and fissured texture as it matures, with patches of grey and brown that add to its visual appeal, particularly in winter.

The standout feature of this cultivar is its foliage. The leaves emerge with a bronze or purple tint in spring before maturing to a dark green with striking purple undersides. This dual-tone effect creates a beautiful contrast, especially when the wind catches the leaves, revealing flashes of colour. In autumn, the foliage transitions to golden yellow, adding seasonal interest to the garden.

In addition to its ornamental value, the Acer pseudoplatanus 'Prinz Handjery' is a hardy tree, able to tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, including clay and chalk, and is resistant to pollution, making it well-suited to urban environments. It is relatively low maintenance, requiring minimal pruning and proving resilient to pests and diseases.

The Acer rubrum 'October Glory,' commonly known as the Red Maple 'October Glory,' is a remarkable ornamental tree that can thrive in the UK climate, making it an attractive addition to the UK market. This deciduous tree, native to North America, offers stunning fall foliage and adaptable growth, making it well-suited for British gardens.

In the UK, where autumn is celebrated for its vibrant foliage displays, the 'October Glory' Red Maple shines. It typically reaches a height of 12-15 meters (40-50 feet) with a slightly smaller spread, making it a suitable choice for medium to large gardens and parks. Its canopy takes on a broadly oval shape, providing ample shade and an impressive presence in the landscape.

One of the 'October Glory' Red Maple's most outstanding features is its spectacular autumn foliage. As the seasons transition, its lush green leaves transform into a captivating display of brilliant reds and oranges. This eye-catching foliage makes it a favourite for Autumn colour and adds a striking visual element to UK gardens, especially during the autumn months.

Regarding its suitability for the UK climate, the 'October Glory' Red Maple is reasonably adaptable. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, making it versatile for various garden settings. While it prefers well-drained soil, it can tolerate occasional wet conditions, which can be beneficial in the UK's often unpredictable climate. This adaptability to different soil types and moisture levels enhances its suitability for UK gardens.

Additionally, the 'October Glory' Red Maple is relatively cold-hardy, which is essential for withstanding the UK's occasionally harsh winters. While it may lose its leaves during winter, its bare branches can still provide an elegant silhouette in the garden.

In conclusion, the 'October Glory' Red Maple is an excellent choice for the UK market, offering stunning autumn foliage, adaptable growth, and the ability to thrive in the UK's climate. Its vibrant display of red and orange leaves in the fall adds a touch of grandeur to British gardens and parks, making it an attractive option for those seeking a visually striking and hardy tree for their landscape.

The Acer rubrum 'Summer Red,' also known as the Red Maple 'Summer Red,' is a splendid ornamental tree ideally suited for the UK market. This deciduous tree, native to North America, boasts remarkable features that make it a valuable addition to British gardens.

The 'Summer Red' Red Maple typically attains a height of 12-15 meters (40-50 feet) with a slightly narrower spread, making it suitable for medium to large gardens and public spaces. Its canopy forms a broadly oval shape, offering ample shade and a striking presence in the landscape.

One of the most captivating attributes of the 'Summer Red' Red Maple is its vibrant summer foliage. Throughout the warmer months, its leaves adorn a lush green hue, creating a pleasant and cooling effect in the garden. This enduring greenery enhances the tree's appeal, providing a soothing contrast to the typical British green landscape.

In the UK's climate, the 'Summer Red' Red Maple proves adaptable. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, making it versatile for diverse garden environments. While it prefers well-drained soil, it can tolerate occasional damp conditions, which align with the UK's variable weather patterns. This adaptability to different soil types and moisture levels contributes to its suitability for UK gardens.

Furthermore, the 'Summer Red' Red Maple is reasonably cold-resistant, a crucial characteristic for withstanding the UK's potentially harsh winters. During the colder months, the tree may shed its leaves, but its graceful branches still offer an elegant structure to the garden.

In conclusion, the 'Summer Red' Red Maple is an excellent choice for the UK market, providing year-round appeal with its beautiful summer foliage, adaptability to the UK's climate, and capacity to thrive in various garden settings. Its enduring green leaves make it an attractive option for those seeking a tree that can add lushness and elegance to British gardens and public spaces, making it an appealing choice for both homeowners and landscapers.

The Acer Red Flamingo is an exquisite ornamental tree ideally suited for the UK market due to its stunning aesthetic appeal and adaptability to the country's climate. This deciduous tree, scientifically known as Acer palmatum 'Red Flamingo,' boasts a unique blend of vibrant colours and graceful structure that make it a standout choice for British gardens.

Standing at a moderate height of 6-8 feet with a slightly wider spread, the Red Flamingo is a compact and manageable choice for small to medium-sized gardens. Its compact size and bushy growth habit make it suitable for both container gardening and landscape planting. This adaptability to various planting conditions makes it an excellent addition to UK gardens, where space can be limited.

The Acer Red Flamingo's most striking feature is its foliage. In spring, the young leaves emerge with brilliant pink and white variegation, resembling the plumage of a flamingo, hence its name. As the seasons progress, the foliage matures to a blend of green and pink, creating a dynamic and ever-changing display of colours throughout the year. Come autumn, the leaves transition to fiery shades of red and orange, adding a breath taking finale to the gardening season.

This Acer variety thrives in the UK's temperate climate, appreciating partial shade to full sun exposure. It is reasonably hardy and can withstand the mild winters prevalent in many parts of the country. With proper care, including regular watering and occasional pruning to maintain its shape, the Red Flamingo can flourish in UK gardens for years.

In conclusion, the Acer Red Flamingo is an exceptional choice for the UK market, offering a burst of colour, adaptability, and ease of maintenance. Its unique foliage and modest size make it a sought-after addition to gardens throughout the country, adding a touch of elegance and vibrancy to the British landscape year-round. Garden enthusiasts in the UK will undoubtedly find the Red Flamingo an alluring and rewarding tree to cultivate.

Acer platanoides, commonly known as the Norway maple, is a large deciduous tree native to continental Europe and western Asia and is a popular ornamental tree in parks, gardens, and streetscapes due to its hardiness and adaptability to urban conditions.

The Norway maple can reach heights of 20 to 30 metres, with a broad, rounded crown. Its bark is greyish-brown and smooth when young, becoming ridged and furrowed as the tree matures. The leaves have five to seven lobes, but are typically dark green. In autumn, the foliage turns bright yellow, creating a striking display. The leaves exude a milky sap when broken, which is a distinguishing feature of the species.

In spring, Acer platanoides produces clusters of small, yellow-green flowers that bloom before the leaves emerge. These flowers are arranged in upright, corymb-like inflorescences, making the tree visually appealing during the early part of the growing season. The tree also produces characteristic winged seeds known as samaras, which appear in pairs and are often referred to as "helicopter seeds" due to the way they spin as they fall to the ground.

Norway maple is a fast-growing species and is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, including poor and compacted soils. Its adaptability to polluted urban environments makes it a favoured choice for street planting. 

Acer campestre 'Elegant' is a refined, compact cultivar of the field maple, perfect for urban landscapes and smaller gardens. Growing to a height of approximately 7 to 10 meters with a spread of 4 to 6 meters, it has a naturally upright, symmetrical form that requires minimal pruning. Its fresh green, lobed leaves create a soft, attractive canopy through spring and summer, turning warm golden-yellow in autumn. 'Elegant' is highly tolerant of drought, pollution, and compacted soils, making it an ideal choice for streetscapes, parks, and residential gardens. Hardy and adaptable, this tree offers year-round beauty with a clean, controlled shape, fitting well into formal or naturalistic designs. It also provides excellent support for local biodiversity.

Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala, commonly known as the Amur maple, is a small, ornamental tree or large shrub admired for its hardiness, compact size, and brilliant seasonal color. Typically growing 4 to 6 meters in height and spread, it features glossy, lobed green leaves that turn spectacular shades of red, orange, and yellow in autumn. In spring, clusters of small, fragrant white flowers appear, followed by distinctive paired winged seeds. Adaptable and resilient, the Amur maple thrives in a range of soils and conditions, including urban environments. Its manageable size and vibrant display make it perfect for gardens, parks, and streetscapes. It can also be grown as a multi-stemmed specimen, offering year-round interest and supporting local wildlife.