paperbark maple
© Richie Steffen / Great Plant Picks
© Richie Steffen / Great Plant Picks
© Rick Peterson / Great Plant Picks
You cannot walk by this tree without noticing the chestnut-brown peeling bark. Attractive year-round, this warm, rich bark makes an especially welcome contribution to our winter gardens. The dark summer green leaves change to shades of pumpkin orange and brick red on trees growing in full sun, buttery gold with an apricot flush on trees in part shade. This is a great tree for the small garden.
Plant Type: tree
Growth Habit: upright
Foliage Type: deciduous
Plant Height (10-year): 18 ft. 0 in. (5.49 meters)
Plant Width/Spread (10-year): 15 ft. 0 in. (4.57 meters)
Plant Height-Mature: 30 ft. 0 in. (9.14 meters)
Plant Width-Mature: 25 ft. 0 in. (7.62 meters)
Hardiness: USDA Zones 5 to 8
Flower Color: green
Flowering Time: spring
Sun/Light Exposure: full sun or light to deep shade
Water Requirements: drought tolerant once established, but appreciates occasional water during very long dry spells
Seasonal Interest: autumn foliage color, attractive peeling bark year-round
Great Plant Combinations:
Great Color Contrasts: yellow, pink, white, blue
Great Color Partners: orange, red, green
Paperbark maple is one of the few trees that will develop good fall color in dappled and deep shade as well as full sun. In shade the colors will be softer apricots and butter yellows. It will tolerate a wide range of soils including compacted urban sites, sand and clay. Avoid locations where water puddles and does not drain away. Very little pruning is needed to maintain a beautiful specimen; only remove poorly developed branches, dead wood or broken limbs.
Text and photos ©2020 Great Plant Picks/Elisabeth Carey Miller Garden except where otherwise noted
Funded by the Pendleton and Elisabeth Carey Miller Charitable Foundation, The Seattle Times, and Individual Donors
Administered by the Elisabeth Carey Miller Botanical Garden