Identifying characteristics:
This is a large shrub or small, often multistemmed tree of rounded outline,
with a height of 15 to 20 feet. The dark green, glossy leaves
are simple, opposite and 1 to 3 inches long, with serrated margins. Fall
color is bright yellow or red, but a position in full sun will encourage
brighter colors. The yellowish-white flowers
appear in panicles in May and June, after the leaves have emerged. This
is one of the few maples with fragrant flowers. The fruit
consists of a pair of samaras, with slightly diverging wings about 1 inch
long. Fruits ripen in September and October. Red-fruiting types are also
commercially available. The buds are small and imbricate, with 4
to 6 brown to red-brown scales visible. Bud scales are glabrous or slightly
hairy along the edges. The terminal bud is often replaced by the stalks
of the previous season's fruit clusters. The bark
is smooth and grayish-brown with darker striations on the trunk and
older branches.
Similar species:
Ecology:
Distribution: This species is native to central and northern China,
Manchuria and Japan. It was introduced to the US around 1860.
Habitat: Although extremely hardy (from zone 2 to 8), the amur maple
does not thrive in the warmer zones (7 and 8). This species adapts well
to a variety of soil conditions and pH ranges, but prefers moist, well-drained
soil. It does well in shade. Pests and diseases are not a serious
problem, although this species is susceptible to Verticillum wilt and ice
and storm damage.
Uses:
Horticulture: The amur maple is recommended for conservation planting
and landscaping as it transplants easily, is extremely hardy and withstands
heavy pruning. It can be grown as a specimen, container plant or patio plant,
and adapts to both full sun and light shade. The multistemmed growth habit
makes this tree less desirable as a street tree, but useful as a screening
plant. It is a very popular tree in the east and the midwest. Cultivars
include 'Flame,' a red-fruiting form with bright red autumn foliage; and
'Durand Dwarf,' an interesting shrubby, dwarf form with small leaves but
poor fall color. A shrubby variety from Turkestan, called 'semenowii,'
has smaller, more deeply-cut leaves (sometimes 5-lobed) with attractive,
red-purple fall color.
