Maple, Tatarian
Acer tataricum
Aceraceae - Maple

Description

Leaves: Similar to Amur maple; opposite; simple; unlobed or slightly 3-lobed; doubly serrate; 2" to 4" long; deciduous; bright green and glabrous above, pubescent on veins below; yellow or red fall color.

Twigs/buds: Twigs red-brown to brown, hairless; thin, angled; have lenticels. Buds red-brown to brown-black, hairless to slightly hairy; small (1/8" to 1/4" in length); scales overlapping.

Flowers/fruit: Flowers yellow-white or creamy; fairly ornamental. Fruit a samara; 3/4" to 1" long; wings parallel; red for several weeks; fall maturing.

Bark: Grayish-brown, smooth; vertically striated or, with age, furrowed.

Wood: Used for hobby purposes and firewood; little information available.

General: Native to southeastern Europe and western Asia. Drought resistant and fairly adaptable. Shade intolerant.

Landscape Use: A small, shrubby maple or small tree rarely planted in Utah but worth trying as a substitute for Amur maple. Planted at Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District Demonstration Garden. The red fruit is quite attractive. Zones 3-8.

Cultivars: 'Rubrum'.

Characteristics