Maple, Purpleblow or Shantung
Acer truncatum
Aceraceae - Maple
Description
Leaves: Opposite; simple; 5 triangular lobes with drawn-out tips; no teeth on lobes; 3" to 5" wide; deciduous; purplish when young; mature leaves dark green and glabrous above, lighter below; 2" to 4" long petiole with milky sap when broken; yellow, orange, and red fall color.
Twigs/buds: Twigs reddish-brown, shiny, hairless; have lenticels. Buds reddish-brown; tips on upper scales hairy, similar to Norway maple (A. platanoides).
Flowers/fruit: Fruit a samara; 1-1/4" to 1-1/2" long; sometimes purple-colored; wings at a 90 degree angle.
Bark: Gray brown, though tinged in purple when young; rough and fissured with age.
Wood: Medium strong; little information available.
General: Native to China. Drought and heat resistant and quite adaptable. Shade intolerant.
Landscape Use: A small to medium sized tree that again is uncommon in Utah. Good fall color Few pests. Zones 4-8.
Cultivars: 'Akikaze Nishiki', 'Crimson Sunset', 'Fire Dragon', 'Main Street', 'Norwegian Sunset', 'Pacific Sunset'.
Characteristics
General
| Family | Aceraceae - Maple |
|---|---|
| Cultivar Availability | Yes |
| Hardiness Zone | 4-8 |
| Type | Broadleaf |
| Utah Native | No |
Growth
| Growth Rate | Low |
|---|---|
| Mature Height | Medium |
| Longevity | Medium |
| Is Good Under Power Lines | Yes |
| Crown Shapes | Rounded |
Ornamental
| Bark | No |
|---|---|
| Fall Color | Yes |
| Flowers | No |
| Foliage | Yes |
| Fruit | No |
Tolerance
| Shade | Medium |
|---|---|
| Salt | Medium |
| Drought | Medium |
| Poor Drainage | Medium |
| Alkalinity | Medium |
| Transplanting | Medium |