Acer

( AY - ser )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly referred to as Maple, this genus of trees and shrubs includes plants that need full sun or partial shade and moderate to regular water, though this can vary somewhat depending on the species grown. They are native to Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America. These trees are admired for their brilliant fall color and delicate foliage. All Maple trees produce winged seed pods. The generic Maple species is featured as the official arboreal emblem of Canada. They are generally considered ornamentals, but some species can also be a source of edible sweet syrup. Use Maple trees in containers or in the ground in any style of landscape. They do well in mixed beds and borders, in shade gardens, and in front of larger evergreen shrubs. Take care when planting these trees in the landscape, as some species are toxic to certain species of livestock.

Acer Species and Varietals

The genus Acer includes 132 species, and is a member of the Soapberry plant family Sapindaceae, making them relatives of Lychee and Horsechestnut (Aesculus). The generic name is derived from the Latin word acer, meaning sharp or pointed. The best growing zones for Maple vary depending on the species, though most are suited for USDA hardiness zones 3-9.. For more information, consult the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Acer buergerianum (Trident Maple, Three-Toothed Maple, Dragon Bark Maple)
This species of Maple tree grows best in USDA growing zones 5-9 (Sunset zones 2-9, 14-17, 20 and 21). It is native to China and Japan and grows to reach 20-25 feet tall and wide. Glossy green leaves are pale underneath, and fall color is usually red but can be orange and yellow. Older wood has flaky bark. These shrubby plants have a low, spreading habit, but can be pruned into a formal tree. They are great for bonsai.

Acer campestre (Hedge Maple, Lesser Maple, Field Maple)
This tree grows best in Sunset zones 2-9 and 14-17 or USDA hardiness zones 5a-9b. This native to Europe and Western Asia is a slow grower, reaching 70 feet tall in its native environment and about 30 feet tall and wide in cultivation. It has a dense, compact shape that can be shrubby (especially in younger specimens) with leaves that are green above, downy underneath and generally turn yellow in the fall. The shrubby trees in this species are fantastic for urban and small-space areas, and can also serve as gorgeous deciduous street trees. Varieties are outlined below.

'Carnival'
Slow grower to 10 feet tall and wide. New leaves are pink, and mature to green with white margins.

'Compactum'
Small, dense, rounded shrub with smaller leaves than the straight species. 'Nanum' is a similar dwarf variety.

'Elegant'
Adaptable cultivar with green leaves that turn golden-yellow in fall. Small to medium-sized tree.

'Elsrijk'
Dense, closed crown, good for narrow streets and urban areas. To 20-40 feet tall and 13-26 feet wide.

'Royal Rubies'
With red leaves in springtime that age to green in summer. To 12-15 feet tall and wide.

'Metro Gold'
35 feet tall, 20 feet wide with great fall color. Does not produce many seedlings.

'Postelense'
Spreading habit, reaches around 10 feet tall. New leaves are gold, and turn lime green in summertime.

'Pulveruntum'
This variety has variegated leaves, and gets to 12 feet tall in about 10 years.

Acer capillipes (Snake Bark Maple, Red Snake Bark Maple)
This tree grows best in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8 and Sunset zones 2-9, 12, and 14-24. Native to Japan, this Maple species reaches up to 30 feet tall and wide at maturity. Branches are red when young and gradually turn brown with white stripes. Leaves are red when new, mature to green, and turn shades red in fall. This species needs partial shade in warmer climates to thrive.

Acer circinatum (Vine Maple)
This species can take the form of either a shrub or a tree. This Maple grows best in Sunset zones 14-17 and USDA hardiness zones 5-9. This species grows well on moist stream banks and in coastal mountain areas. In shaded beds, it is multi-trunked with a spreading habit, and in open, sunny spots it forms a small tree to 5-35 feet tall with either one or several trunks, depending on how it is pruned. Leaves are tinted red when new, and turn green with maturity. In fall, leaves fade to red, orange, scarlet or yellow before dropping. Spring flowers are reddish-purple. Varieties are outlined below.

'Burgundy Jewel'
Deep purple foliage with rounded, full-moon shaped leaves. To 6-7 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide.

'Ki Setsudoe'
Slow-growing with bright red foliage that matures to green-red. Typically multitrunked to 10-12 feet tall.

'Little Gem'
A compact, dwarf shrub or small tree with smaller leaves than the straight species. To 3-4 feet tall and wide in 10 years.

'Monroe'
Deeply dissected leaves that turn red in fall. To 10-15 feet tall and wide.

'Pacific Fire'
Waxy, fire-red bark in winter and yellow fall foliage tinted with orange. Gets to 12 feet tall; slow grower.

'Pacific Purple'
Leaves are bronze-green when young and turn purple in summertime. Red leaves in fall. To 10-15 feet.

'Pacific Sprite'
To 5 feet tall and 2 feet wide, with green foliage that is red-orange in fall. Good in containers.

'Sunglow'
Slow-grower to 6-10 feet tall and wide. New growth is peachy pink.

Acer x conspicuum (Snakebark Maple)
This popular hybrid cultivar grows best in USDA hardiness zones 6-9 and Sunset zones 2-6, 15-17, 20 and 21. This is a garden-sized tree that gets to about 20 feet tall with a shrub-like habit. It is a cross between Acer davidii and Acer pensylvanicum. Green leaves turn yellow in fall. Branches are yellow in the summertime, coral-red with white stripes in winter. Cultivars are listed and described below.

'Candy Stripe'
To 16 feet tall with white-streaked dark purple bark in winter. Leaves turn gold-orange in fall.

'Elephant's Ear'
With large leaves that turn gold before falling. Bark is dark green with silver stripes. To 115 feet tall and 82 feet wide.

'Mozart'
To 10-20 feet tall and just as wide. Bark and branches are striped white and red, autumn color is orange-yellow.

'Phoenix'
Popular cultivar. Bark is bright red and white, large palmate leaves are green and turn yellow in fall.

'Red Flamingo'
Variegated white and green foliage that turns orange-red in fall. To 10-20 feet tall and wide.

'Silver Cardinal'
To 10-20 feet tall in as many years. Slender red branches hold leaves irregularly marbled with cream and pink.

'Silver Ghost'
Green bark with bright white streaks and large variegated leaves that turn yellow in fall. 15-30 feet tall and wide.

'Silver Vein'
Green and white bark and large green leaves with red stalks. To around 20 feet tall at maturity.

Acer davidii (David's Maple, Pere David's Maple)
This tree, native to central China, has bark that is shiny green striped with silvery white. Leaves are glossy green and deep-veined, turning yellow, red-orange, and purple in fall. New foliage is bronze. Greenish yellow flowers bloom in spring. Needs part shade in warmer areas. Best in USDA hardiness zones 4-8 and Sunset zones 2-6, 15-17, 20 and 21. Reaches 20-35 feet tall and wide at maturity. Cultivars include 'Ernest Wilson' (compact habit with round leaves), 'George Forrest' (with pink-red shoots), 'Viper'/'Mindavi' (with whitewashed bark and red shoots), and 'Serpentine' (compact cultivar with dark purple bark).

Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple, Bloodbark Maple)
This species of maple trees grows best in Sunset zones 2-9 and 14-21 or USDA zones 4-8. Gets to 25 feet or taller, but about half as tall and wide in gardens. Reddish bark peels away in paper-thin sheets. This species is late to leaf out in spring, and has dark green leaves with silvery undersides. Small red flowers bloom in spring followed by showy red seed pods. Brilliant red foliage in autumn. Cultivars include 'Fireburst' (upright form with bright red fall color), 'Cinnamon Flake'/'Cinnamon Girl' (with amber and brown bark).

Acer japonicum (Fullmoon Maple, Peacock Maple)
Can be grown as a shrub or tree, this native to Japan is best when grown in USDA hardiness zones 5-8 or Sunset zones 2-6 and 14-16. Trees reach up to 20-30 feet tall and equally as wide. Fall foliage is red, orange, and golden. These trees will need regular, consistent watering and partial shade in warmer climates to perform well.

'Aconitifolium'
(Fernleaf Fullmoon Maple)
Fast grower to about 15 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Leaves are deeply cut.

'Aureum'
(Golden Fullmoon Maple)
Best in zones 3b-6 and 14-16. Gets to 20 feet tall and wide. Pale gold leaves in spring, pale chartreuse through summer.

'Ed Wood'
About the same size as Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium', but with more vigorous growth.

'Green Cascade'
To 4-5 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide in 10 years, with a mounded, weeping habit.

'Mai Kujaku'
(Dancing Peacock)
With an upright habit and dramatic foliage. To 15 feet tall.

'Nicholsonii'
12 feet tall and wide in 10 years with a spreading habit.

'Rising Sun'
To 8-10 feet tall in 15 years. Unusually large leaves give a tropical vibe.

'Vitifolium'
To 20 feet tall at maturity, with green foliage that resembles that of Grape plants.

Acer macrophyllum (Bigleaf Maple)
This tree grows best in Sunset zones 2-9 and 14-24 (USDA zones 5-9). This species is native to stream banks and canyons in southern Alaska and Southern California. It forms a dense shade tree and gets to 30-75 feet tall and 30-50 feet wide. Leaves are green and turn yellow in fall; color is more brilliant in cooler temperatures. Tassels of green-yellow spring flowers are followed by winged seeds that hang in chains. Resistant to Oak Root Fungus. Cultivars include 'Kimballiae', 'Mieke', 'Mocha Rose' (with pink-variegated foliage), 'Rubrum' (with deep red new foliage), 'Santiam Snows' (with white-variegated foliage), and 'Seattle Sentinel' (with an upright, columnar habit).

Acer negundo (Box Elder, Boxelder, Ash-Leaf Maple, Manitoba Maple, California Boxelder, Western Boxelder, Three-Leaf Maple)
Grows best in USDA growing zones 2-10 or Sunset zones A2, A3, 1-10 and 12-24. This tree is native to most of the United States, and re-seed readily. Considered invasive in many parts of the world, including Europe, Australia, Asia, and South Africa. It is fast-growing to 60 feet tall and as wide. Leaves are green, and turn yellow in fall. Varieties improve on the issues of this species:

'Flamingo'
With variegated light green, white, and pink foliage. Seedless.

'Kelly's Gold'
Chartreuse foliage on a 16-23 foot tall tree that has a spread of 13-26 feet.

'Sensation'
Slower-growing to 40 feet tall and 30 feet wide. Does not sucker; seedless. New growth is bronze, fall color pink-red.

'Variegatum'
(Variegated Box Elder)
Not as large as the species, with a combination of green and creamy white leaves.

Acer nigrum (Black Maple, Black Sugar Maple, Hard Maple, Rock Maple)
This species is sometimes subsumed under the species Acer saccharum as a subspecies. It grows best in USDA growing zones 3-6 and Sunset zones 1-10 and 14-20. Resistant to heat and drought. Light green leaves turn yellow in fall. Variety 'Greencolumn' is an upright grower that can reach 65 feet tall and 25 feet wide.

Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple)
This can grow as a shrub or tree, best in Sunset zones A3, 2b-10, 12 and 14-24 and USDA growing zones 5-8. It is native to Japan and Korea. Slow grower to 20 feet tall and equal width. Airy and delicate with deeply cut leaves. Spring growth is red, summer leaves are green, fall foliage is scarlet, orange or yellow. There are many varieties of Japanese Maple available, generally divided into Dissectum and Non-Dissectum types.

Acer palmatum dissectum (Dissectum Japanese Maple)
Sometimes called lace-leaf maples, trees in this subspecies are slow growers to about 6-8 feet tall and 8-12 feet wide. Almost all have an umbrella-form when mature, with sinuous trunks and branches.

'Contorta'
Gets 8 feet tall and 12 feet wide. Finely divided leaves and a weeping growth pattern. Yellow-orange fall color.

'Crimson Queen'
Small, shrubby Maple, to 9 feet tall. Holds leaves through the summer and turn scarlet in the fall before they drop.

'Dissectum'
(Laceleaf Japanese Maple)
This 6 foot tall, 12 foot wide shrub has drooping branches and green bark. Pale green leaves turn gold in fall.

'Emerald Lace'
Small tree with a cascading look, to 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Has dark green leaves that turn bright red in fall.

'Ever Red'
('Dissectum Nigrum')
7-foot mound with weeping branches and tinged purple leaves that turn crimson in fall.

'Orangeola'
Compact, to 6 feet tall and a little less wide. Orange new leaves turn green with age. Orange-red fall color.

'Seiryu' (Threadleaf Japanese Maple)
Upright, to 10-12 feet tall and wide. Lacy leaves are red in spring, green in summer, and gold with a bit of crimson in fall.

'Viridis'
6 feet tall, 8 feet wide with a clumping habit. Lacy green leaves turn golden orange in fall.

Acer palmatum (Non-Dissectum Japanese Maple)
These Non-Dissectum types are, generally, more upright and larger than dissectum-type maples, and they do not have as delicate foliage as their species-mates.

'Atropurupureum'
(Red Japanese Maple)
Gets to 20-30 feet tall, has dark red-wine summer color, red leaves in fall.

'Bloodgood'
Vigorous grower to 18 feet tall with deep red spring and summer leaves that turn scarlet in fall. Dark red bark.

'Burgundy Lace'
Gets to 12 feet tall and 15 feet wide. Leaves are deeply cut, and branches are bright green.

'Butterfly'
To 10 feet tall and 5 feet wide. Light green leaves have pink margins and mature to have cream-white variegation. Magenta in fall.

'Crimson Prince'
Gets 20 feet tall and 22 feet wide. Purple-red foliage that turns red in fall. Tolerates heat and humidity.

'Emperor I' ('Wolff')
Vigorous, upright growth to 20-25 feet tall, with red leaves that hold their color into summer. Deep crimson fall foliage.

'Fireglow'
Grows to 15-20 feet tall and has red leaves that do not fade in summer's heat.

'Osakazuki'
Upright growth to 20-25 feet tall with large leaves that turn to crimson in fall. Tolerates sun and heat.

'Sango Kaku' ('Senkaki')
(Coral Bark Maple)
Vigorous grower, to 20-25 feet tall and 18-20 feet wide. Green summer leaves are slightly gold and turn yellow in fall.

'Shaina'
Dwarf variety of 'Bloodgood'; gets up to 5 feet tall with dark red-wine summer leaves and red fall foliage.

'Shishigashira'
(Lion's Head Maple)
Upright growth to 12-20 feet tall with deeply cut leaves. Slow grower; great choice for a bonzai.

Acer pensylvanicum (Striped Maple, Moosewood, Snakebark Maple, Whistlewood, Goosefoot Maple)
This tree grows best in Sunset zones 3-6, 15-17, 20 and 21 (USDA growing zones 3-7). Native to North America, this snakebark maple gets up to 25 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Bark is vertically striped with green and white. Fall foliage is yellow. A popular cultivar is 'Erythrocladium', or the Coral Bark Striped Maple, which has bright red-pink winter color.

Acer platanoides (Norway Maple, Harlequin Maple)
This species of Maple has many varieties and grows best in USDA growing zones 4-7 or Sunset zones A2, A3, 1-9 and 14-17. This tree is native to Europe and western Asia, and gets 50-60 feet tall and about as wide. Leaves are deep green above and lighter beneath. Leaves are yellow in fall. Small, greenish-yellow flowers bloom in spring. The species has some issues, including aggressive roots, self-sowing seedlings, and sooty mold. Varieties are outlined below.

'Columnare'
Slow grower, with a narrow habit, gets to about 20 feet wide and 50-60 feet tall.

'Crimson King'
Purple foliage until leaves drop off, slow-grower. Great in the northwest and foothills of California.

'Crimson Sentry'
Compact growth to 25 feet tall. Foliage is dense and bright red.

'Deborah'
Gets to 45 feet tall and 40 feet wide, and has purple-red leaves in summer. Bronze fall foliage.

'Drummondii'
Leaves on this species are edged with silver-white. Needs some shade in warmer climates.

'Easy Street'
Similar to 'Columnare' but a little wider and more pyramid-shaped. Foliage is dark green and turns yellow in fall.

'Emerald Queen'
Fast growing, takes on an ovular shape 40-50 feet tall and 25-30 feet wide. New growth is reddish, and matures to glossy green, turning yellow in fall.

'Fairview'
Gets to 45 feet tall and 35 feet wide. Reddish-purple new growth matures to bronze-green.

'Globosum'
Slow-grower with a dense habit, eventually reaches 20-25 feet tall.

'Parkway'
Gets to about 25 feet wide, with a dense canopy.

'Princeton Gold'
Oval-shaped tree to 35 feet tall, with golden yellow leaves that hold color all season, turning bright gold in fall.

Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore Maple, Great Maple, Scottish Maple, Planetree Maple)
This species of trees grows best in USDA growing zones 4-7 or Sunset zones 1-9 and 14-20, and is native to Europe and western Asia. They are generally hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit. Gets to 40 feet tall or more and almost as wide. Leaves are prominently veined and dark green above with pale undersides. No particular fall color; it varies by variety. Cultivars are outlined below.

'Atropurpureum'
('Spaethii')
Leaves are rich purple on the undersides.

'Esk Sunset'
('Eskimo Sunset')
Leaves are blotched green, salmon, and light yellow on top, purple-red underneath.

'Leopoldii'
Gets to 50 feet tall, and has green leaves interestingly variegated with cream.

'Prinz Handjery'
Leaves are pink when new, and mature to develop purple undersides. Grows to about 10 feet in as many years.

Acer pseudosieboldianum (Korean Maple, Purplebloom Maple, Ulleng-do Island Maple)
This tree grows best in USDA hardiness zones 4-8 or 9 and Sunset zones 2-10 and 14-18. It is a native to Manchuria and Korea, forming a rounded tree growing to 20 feet tall and wide. Variety 'Northern Glow' (pictured) is a hybrid of this species with A. palmatum, and is a graceful, spreading tree to 20 feet tall and 24 feet wide with brilliant orange-red foliage in fall.

Acer rubrum (Red Maple, Scarlet Maple, Carolina Maple, Soft Maple, Swamp Maple)
This tree grows in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 and Sunset zones A2, A3, 1-9 and 14-17. Grows quickly to 60 feet tall and 40 feet wide. Red twigs, branches and buds with showy flowers. Leaves are shiny green on top, pale underneath. Fall foliage is brilliant scarlet in cooler areas. Tolerates many soils. Varieties outlined below.

'Armstrong' (A. x freemanii)
Narrow tree (15 feet wide) that grows to 50-60 ft. tall. Poor orange-red fall color.

'Autumn Blaze'
(A. x freemanii)
Dense crown with amazing orange-red fall color.

'Autumn Fantasy'
(A. x freemanii)
Dense oval shape, with beautiful red fall foliage.

'Karpick'
Narrow (20 feet wide), 50-60 feet tall. Red twigs and yellow to red fall foliage.

'New World'
30 feet tall, 15 feet wide. Bright red-orange fall leaves.

'October Glory'
Tall, round-headed tree.

'Redpointe'
Grows quickly into a 45 foot tall, 30 foot wide tree that is pyramid-shaped with green leaves that turn bright red in fall.

'Red Sunset'
Upright, vigorous growth with an interesting branching pattern.

'Scarlet Sentinel'
Columnar form, grows to about 25 feet wide. Fast grower.

'Somerset'
Narrow, oval shaped tree with brilliant long-lasting red fall color.

Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple)
Grows best in USDA growing zones 3-8 and Sunset zones 1-10 and 14-20; Native to eastern North America. This tree is the source of Maple Sugar. Grows to 60 feet tall and 40 feet wide. Leaves are green above and pale underneath. In cold-winter climates, fall color is yellow, orange, and deep scarlet.

'Apollo'
Small, 25 feet tall by 10 feet, columnar growth. Yellow-orange to red fall color.

'Autumn Fest'
Grows to 50 feet tall and 35 feet wide. Upright ovular growing tree; Early orange-red to red fall foliage.

'Autumn Splendor'
Grows to 45 feet tall and 40 feet wide. Heat and drought tolerant. Great choice for the Southwest. Orange-red in fall.

'Bonfire'
Fast-growing to 50 feet tall and 40 feet wide. Fall foliage is orange to red.

'Fall Fiesta'
Gets to 50 feet tall and 40 feet wide. With orange, red, and yellow fall foliage.

'Flashfire'
Grows to 45 feet tall and 40 feet wide, and fall foliage is bright red.

'Green Mountain'
Tolerant of heat and drought; this tree has yellow-orange to reddish-orange fall foliage.

'Legacy'
Drought-resistant and fast-growing. Fall color can be red or yellow-orange.

Acer shirasawanum (Fullmoon Maple, Full Moon Maple, Shirasawa Maple)
Shrub or tree that grows best in USDA growing zones 5-9 and Sunset growing zones 3b-6 and 14-16. This species reaches up to 20 feet tall and wide. Leaves are pale gold in spring and pale chartreuse in summer. Needs to be planted in partial shade. Variety 'Autumn Moon' has burnt orange new growth, and orange-red fall foliage. 'Aureum' (pictured) has chartreuse-gold leaves.

Acer tataricum (Tatarian Maple, Tartar Maple)
Can be grown as a shrub or tree in USDA growing zones 3-8 zones A2, A3, 1-6 and 14-16. Native to southeastern Europe and western Asia; this plant gets to 20-25 feet tall and has red-winged seeds in summer. Fall foliage is yellow-red-brown. Varieties include 'Hot Wings' with bright red seed pods in summer, and 'Rugged Charm' with a narrow, ovular form.

Acer tataricum ginnaia (Amur Maple, Siberian Maple)
This species, native to Manchuria, northern China, Japan, and Korea, grows best in USDA growing zones 3-6 and Sunset zones A1-A3, 1-9 and 14-16. Gets 15-20 feet tall with clusters of small, fragrant yellow flowers in springtime followed by red seed pods. Fall foliage is red, especially red in varieties 'Flame', 'Red November' and 'Red Rhapsody'. This species needs regular waterings during hot periods to perform well.

Acer tegmentosum (Manchurian Striped Bark Maple, Manchu Striped Maple)
This cultivar can be grown as a shrub or tree and is best in USDA zones 2b-7 and 14-17. This is a multi-trunked varietal that has green bark striped with white and gray. Large green leaves turn yellow in fall. Cultivar 'White Tigress' (White Tigress Maple) is a popular ornamental.

Acer truncatum (Shantung Maple)
This tree grows best in USDA growing zones 4-9 or Sunset zones A2, A3, 1-9 and 14-23. This native of China grows quickly to 25 feet tall with equal width. New leaves are purple-red and mature to green. Fall foliage is yellow to red-orange. Great as a lawn or patio tree. Tolerates heat and drought. Hybrids of this species are popular, and are outlined below.

Caring for Acer

Plant your Maple tree in an area that gets partial to full sun. These trees should be getting between 4 and 6 hours of sun per day for best performance, though this varies somewhat depending on the species; some will need more, others less. Make sure to check the species-specific light requirements before planting. Many Maples appreciate late afternoon shade and a somewhat sheltered spot in the landscape. Maples generally do well in soil that is well-draining and that has a acidic pH of between 5.0 and 7.0, though this can also vary depending on the species. Amend soil with plenty of organic matter before planting. Mulch around the base of the tree after installing to discourage weed growth, moderate soil temperature, and increase soil moisture retention. Water your tree regularly, especially during warmer times of the year.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning Acer trees is straightforward; it is best done in the springtime before new growth begins. At this time, remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches and trim to maintain an attractive shape and size. Although Acer trees are generally considered to be hardy, they may need some protection from prolonged periods of frosty temperatures. Cover young trees and smaller Maples with frost cloth when temperatures drop below freezing. The life span of Maple trees varies significantly depending on the species, ranging from 80-150 years for shorter-lived species like the Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) to 300-400 years or more for species like the Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum).

Growing Acer in Containers
Acers can be grown both in-ground and in containers. Container growth allows for Maple trees to be grown in areas cooler than their preferred growing zone range, brought to a sheltered location when temperatures drop in fall. For a long-lived container tree, make sure to choose a compact or dwarf cultivar. Choose a pot that is made from ceramic, terracotta or fiberglass that is at least 6 inches wider than the size of the nursery container. Ensure that there are adequate drainage holes in the pot, and fill with a fast-draining potting soil that is slightly acidic. A good soil ratio for Maple trees is 3 parts potting soil, 2 parts pine bark, and 1 part perlite. Water new plantings regularly as they establish themselves in their new home. Maple trees grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top two inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Apply a thick layer of mulch over around the base of the Maple, ensuring that it stays a few inches away from the trunk. Fertilize yearly in springtime with a 1-inch layer of compost over the top of soil. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Repot your Acer every 2 to 3 years to ensure that it is not becoming root-bound.

Harvesting Acer Trees
Maple Syrup is made from the sweet sap of the Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum). A planted crop of Sugar Maples is referred to as a Sugarbush. To be able to be tapped for its sap, a tree must be around 40 years old, at least 10 inches in diameter, and be in good health. If done correctly, tapping a tree does no harm to the plant itself; a healthy Sugar Maple can provide sap for creating maple syrup for upwards of one hundred years if proper procedure is followed. During the tapping season, which commonly lasts between four and six weeks in springtime (late February or early March) , trees can be tapped for 10 gallons of sap, yielding about a quart of final product. The season begins when temperatures are not as extreme as they were in the winter months, and water is an abundant resource. These are the perfect conditions for a great Maple sap harvest.

Harvesters of maple sap use a device called a spile, which is inserted into a drilled hole. The sap that is excreted by the tree through this hole either falls through the air into a bucket or travels through an attached tube that is connected to a pipeline. After the sap is collected, it is brought to a processing area where it is boiled and reduced into maple syrup. The maple-tapping season varies in length each year, depending on the weather conditions. Once buds on the branches of these trees have started to sprout, tapping season is over.

Propagation

Acer can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Maple, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Acer by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In early springtime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After four to eight weeks, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new Maple tree.

Propagating Acer by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. A good substrate for propagation of seeds is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
Harvest your seeds. The seeds on Acer plants are pretty easy to find; they are left behind after flowers have faded, and are winged. The fruits produced by Acer trees are called Samaras. Once they have dried out and turned brown and brittle they can be harvested. Collect as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area until you are ready to work with them. The wings should be removed from the seeds before planting or storage; each winged piece will have two seeds. Simply rip or cut it in half to separate.
Physostegia seeds will need a period of cold-stratification in order to germinate. To complete this process, first place seeds in a bag or other sealable container filled with moistened sand or peat moss. Then, place the container in the refrigerator (or similarly cool, dark space) for 3 months. The ideal temperature for cold-stratification is around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. After this period has passed, remove seeds from the container.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Acer fruits are 'winged', allowing them to float through the air away from their parent tree, and are called Samaras.

Acer seeds are relatively small and have papery attachments.

Problems and Pests

Take care when planting Maple trees in the landscape, as wilted and dead plant parts can be toxic to certain livestock, such as horses, alpacas, and llamas. Seeds of Boxelder are also apparently are the cause of a disorder called Seasonal Pasture Myopathy (SPM), an equine muscle disease which is fatal in over 90% of cases.

Acer, or Maple, trees are susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases: