Shantung Maple

Shantung maple is a good shade tree for the garden because of its smaller size, dense crown and large leaves.

Virtues: Shantung maple is a good shade tree for the garden because of its smaller size, dense crown and large leaves. Leaves emerge purple in spring, turn dark green then color up orange and yellow in fall.

Common name: Shantung maple

Botanical name:Acer truncatum

Foliage: Wide-lobed maple leaf that's purple or reddish at first, then turns green and takes on orange and yellow tones in fall.

Flowers: Small, greenish yellow, appearing in mid- to late spring. Not ornamentally significant.

Habit: Deciduous tree. 20 to 25 feet tall with a 15- to 20-foot-wide rounded crown.

Season: Spring through fall as a shade tree.

Origin: China and Korea.

Cultivation: Grow in full sun or part shade. Likes well-drained moist acidic soil but tolerates drought once established. USDA Zones 4–8.
_________________________________________________________
Learn about routine tree care with Horticulture's illustrated Trees download.

See our CD on gardening in the shade.