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Acer tataricum 'Red Wings'
Tatarian maple
Scientific Name
Acer is Latin for “sharp” and may also be from the Celtic ac, which means “hard” in reference to the wood.
Common Name
Tatarian maple is the common name for Acer tataricum.
NATIVE RANGE AND HABITAT
Tatarian maple is native to southeast Europe and western Asia. It occurs in sunny dry locations, often as an understory tree.
CONSERVATION INFORMATION
Not native to Kentucky
DESCRIPTION
Growth Habit and Form
Tatarian maple is a small, deciduous, rounded to wide spreading tree. The habit is informal and attractive. Trees typically grow 15 to 20 feet in height with a spread equal to height. It is slightly larger in stature than amur maple (Acer ginnala), but with slightly duller foliage and yellowish fall color.
Leaves
Leaves are opposite, simple, usually unlobed, irregularly double serrate, and 2 to 4 inches in length. The slightly crinkled leaves are glabrous (without hairs) and bright to medium green above. Leaves are paler below and have very fine hairs when young which are lost at maturity. Fall color is variable, ranging from yellow, red and reddish-brown.
Flowers
Greenish white flowers are borne in 2 to 3 inch long panicles in April-May.
Fruit
Fruit is a pair of winged seeds called samaras. Attractive rosy-red fruits develop between July and August. Each samara is 3/4 to 1 inch long and the two wings of the fruit hang at very tight angles or nearly parallel.
Bark
Bark is grayish brown and smooth with darker striations or furrows with age.
Wild and Cultivated Varieties
‘Rubrum’ displays blood red fall color.
HORTICULTURE
Landscape Use
Tatarian maple is a handsome small specimen tree for the residential landscape and for street tree use.
Hardiness Zone
Hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 6 (7&8).
Growth Rate
Slow to medium
Cultivation and Propagation Information
Tatarian maple prefers moist well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. It is moderately tolerant of adverse conditions including drought. Propagate Tatarian maple by seed and vegetative cuttings. Three to six months cold stratification will overcome seed dormancy.
Diseases and Insects
None serious
Wildlife Considerations
Tatarian maple is browsed by deer and rabbits, provides fair cover for songbirds, and the seeds are eaten by squirrels.
Maintenance Practices
Tatarian maple needs minimal maintenance.
TRADITIONAL AND MODERN USES
- Medicinal - Extracts of some Acer species are used in cancer research and as an astringent.
- Tatarian maple was introduced into cultivation in 1759.
- Many amur maple plants sold commercially exhibit intermediate characteristics and appear to be hybrids between amur maple and Tatarian maple (A. ginnala x A. tataricum).
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