David Maple
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Average mature size of 30-50' tall and 20-33' wide. Slow growth rate.

Native Range

Native to Central China. Introduced 1879 and 1902.

Flower and Fruit Details

Flowers are yellowish, borne in May in slender, pendulous, 2-3' long racemes. The female flowers have longer inflorescences than the male flowers. Fruits are winged samaras, 1.25" long, glabrous, borne horizontally in pairs.

Leaf and Bark Features

Deciduous: Leaves simple, lustrous dark green, opposite arrangement, ovate to ovate-oblong, 3 to 6" long, 1.5-2.5" wide. Rounded at base, with a central midrib and no prominent lobes. Petiole 0.75-2" long. Yellow/red fall color. Bark is green with vertical white stripes when young, becoming gray and cracked with age.

Culture and Care

Does not do well in most U.S. gardens. Prefers partially shaded woods with well-drained, moist, slightly acidic soil. In its native region, it exists as an understory plant. Zones 5-7. Susceptible to typical maple diseases: anthracnose, verticillium wilt, bacterial leaf spot, bleeding canker, forest tent caterpillar, maple leaf cutter, leafhopper, bladder-gall mite, boxelder bug, among others.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

Attractive, dark green, 3-lobed leaves, ornamental bark, especially when young.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA