Amur Maple Tree Facts: Lifecycle And Care Tips Covered!

The genus Acer comprises more than 132 species of maple trees that can be found in various countries.

The Amur maple tree is one such species of Acer native to northeastern Asia. This native shrub is a relatively small tree; therefore, they are widely seen in the backyard of homes for decorative purposes.

Amur maple is a native species of Asia covering Mongolia, Japan, and Korea in the east and Russia far east in the north. Amur maple is deciduous like most of the Maple species that can grow and reach a height of 20-30 ft (6-9 m).

Thus it can be considered as a tall shrub.

The branches of this Amur maple are slender, while the trunk has a diameter of 8–16 in (20–40 cm). However, the bark of these native shrubs can vary as the young branches have smooth and gray bark while older branches have grayish-brown bark.

The purpose of planting the Amur maple can also vary as mostly planted as an ornamental large shrub. Amur maples also aid as tree strips, windbreaks, and the protection of livestock.

Amur maple bears creamy white flowers and red fruit. The arrangement of its leaves is opposite, and the dark green leaves change to red or orangish-red fall colors, particularly under the full sun. The tolerance of these trees is also very high as they can survive the drought and alkaline soil.

If you wish to learn more about the Amur maple trees, continue reading this article till the end.

Classification Of Amur Maple Tree

The Amur maple is frequently treated as a subspecies of the Tatar maple; however, the leaves of the Amur maple tree are different from that of Tatar maple. Although it is closely related to Tatar maple, the official classification of the Amur maple tree is described below.

The Amur maple (Acer ginnala) belongs to the kingdom of Plantae, the clade of Tracheophytes, Angiosperm, Eudicots, Rosids, and of order Sapindales. The order Sapindales principally comprises flowering plants, and besides maples, it has included the genera of citrus, rambutans, mangoes, horse-chestnut, lychee, cashew mahogany, neem, and more.

The family is Sapindaceae, which contains 1600 species and under 135 genera. The plants of these families can be shrubs or trees, and the genus is Acer. The name of the person who classifies this plant is Karl Maximovich, and he was a prominent Russian botanist who studied elaborately about the species from the far east.

Habitat Requirements Of Amur Maple Tree

The growth and development of trees largely depend on their habitat. A tree may flourish in a suitable habitat while failing to survive in the wrong habitat.

A tree's tolerance is also important as trees like Amur maple have a higher tolerance. This native species can thrive in almost any situation, and more about its habitat requirement is discussed below.

The Amur maple is extremely adaptable and can withstand extreme conditions. However, it has habitat requirements under which it can grow best.

The soil requirement for this small tree is primarily well-drained and moist soil. But, being pH adaptable, they can grow in other soil varieties with poor fertility. Amur maple is known to endure alkaline soils and exhibits forbearance towards drought.

The new foliage of Amur maple appears during April-May, which is proportional. It thrives best under the full sun, but it can withstand shade or partial shade.

Thus it is often planted as an understory tree. Amur maple has winged seeds that enable them to spread faster. The seeds can circulate within 328 ft (100 m), but sometimes the wind can carry them to a long distance.

Thus it can be found near edges of the forest, along the roadsides, open areas, and woodlands. The climate requirement is chiefly colder regions that have cool summers.

Regardless, these trees have been observed in warm regions as well. But, it will require more maintenance to keep it away from dehydration.

The seeds of this plant can be purchased from the store and need to be soaked for at least 24 hours before stratifying them for 2-4 months under an ideal temperature of 33.8-46.4 F (1-8 C).

As soon as the seeds are completely developed, they are ready to be harvested, but prior drying has to be done. Finally, the entire process is completed with the sowing of seeds.

Distribution And Size Of Amur Maple Tree

Maple trees can be found on almost every continent. Most maple trees are native to Asia; however, they have been imported to several other countries besides the Asian countries. The geographical distribution of the Amur maple tree is also vast; it stretches from the easternmost part and extends to the north.

Amur maple (Acer ginnala) is widely distributed across eastern Asia. It is a native species to Manchuria, Japan, and the north of China, where it is cultivated in gardens and parks.

After importing it to the United States, it has become naturalized in many states, including Kentuck, Minnesota, Iowa, and New Jersey. However, in Canada, it is referred to as Manitoba Saskatchewan.

It is planted for the ornamental purpose to the enhance the landscape scenery. It can regenerate from existing stumps, and due to its rapid development, New England lists this tree as invasive. It is distinguished for its size, which is 20-30 ft (6-9 m). The average size of a small maple tree is less than 20 ft (6 m).

Amur Maple Tree Characteristics And Care

There are defining characteristics of Amur maple trees that distinguish them from the rest of the maple species that are native to Asia. However, the care required to maintain this tree is relatively less as it can survive even in the harshest condition, but that does not make them immune to certain diseases.

Amur maple tree is primarily free from pests, but that does not make them free from probable diseases.

The Amur maple tree is predominantly small, also referred to as Flame Amur maple. Due to its small size, it can be grown in small spaces, even under power lines.

Amur maples are appropriate for small terrain; however, they can be cultivated in multi-stemmed branches. Its foliage is dense, and the excessive branches can be controlled by pruning.

This large shrub can grow under the full sun; it can even tolerate shade be it a partial shade or full. These native shrubs are recognized for their bright red foliage in autumn.

When the tree remains young, its barks and branches are moderately smooth, but the texture changes to shallowly fissured once it grows old growing. The canopy is smooth and symmetrical, and the shape of the crown is similar in every plant.

The leaves of this tree are its extraordinary aspect, and their arrangement is sub-opposite or opposite. The leaf type is simple, and the margin is double serrated or serrated.

The leaves are lobes, and the shape is ovate, and their venation is either pinnate or palmate.

It is a deciduous tree, and the length of its leaves ranges between 2-4 in (5-10 cm). It is closely related to the Acer tataricum, as stated earlier however, unlike Acer tataricum, the leaves of Acer ginnala are glossier and lobed deeply.

Other distinguishing features of this plant must include its fruits and flowers. The flowers primarily bloom during spring which has a pleasant fragrance and is not showy, and has a diameter of 0.2–0.3 in (5–8 mm) diameter.

On the other hand, the fruit of this plant is showy, oval, or elongated and can range between 0.3-1 in (8-25 mm). The outer covering of the fruit is hard.

It is a reddish samara with a length of 0.3–0.39 in (8–10 mm) and matures during late summer to spring. The foliage of this plant will turn red during autumn, but it will achieve best in colder climates.

Amur maple trees are susceptible to various diseases such as developed verticillium wilt, scorch, Phytophthora Canker, crown gall, iron chlorosis, and leaf spots. Verticillium wilt is a disease that causes wilting of branches in the initial phases, but the tree can die if not taken care of correctly.

Thus it is essential to prune the branches as soon as the symptoms appear and the sapwood turns olive green. Scorch is caused due to lack of water during excessive high temperature, and the symptoms are brown dead regions between the veins.

Phytophthora Canker occurs due to the Phytophthora fungus that exists in the soil.

This disrupts the water flow from roots, and eventually, the leaves become pale green. Iron chlorosis occurs due to iron deficiency, while giant tar spot and crown gall are also common.

Besides these diseases, Amur maple, although free from pests, is damaged by Sphyrapicus varius and aphids, which can cause the dropping of leaves. Besides them, Amur maple trees are susceptible to herbicides like phenoxy. Thus pruning them in either winter or early spring and providing them with appropriate fertilizer and habitat is essential.

Did you know?

• There is a river that flows between northeastern China and Russia Far East called the Amur River. This river is also the tenth longest river in the world.
• Amur maple trees were introduced in North America in 1860 for windbreak planting and wildlife, and now it is non-native invasive plant species.
• Amur maple trees are appropriate for bonsai; thus, it is highly valued in Japan.
• Amur maple tree has received the Royal Horticulture Society Award in the United Kingdom.