Vine Maple

A native deciduous maple ranging from British Columbia to northern California, shifting form dramatically with light exposure. In deep shade it sprawls as a vine-like scramble of slender stems weaving through understory. In sun it tightens into a multi-stemmed small tree, 10 to 20 feet tall with a 26-foot spread, horizontal to downward-arching branches forming a distinctive spreading crown. Leaves are nearly circular, 6 to 12 cm across, with 7 to 11 lobes, heart-shaped at the base. Flowers appear in clusters of 3 to 6 with deep red sepals and greenish-white petals. Samaras spread horizontally, ripening to deep red. Fall color runs yellow in shade, developing red and orange in sun.

Hardy to Zone 6a. Part shade on acidic, well-drained soils (pH 5.5 to 7.5). Moderate water needs during establishment; low drought tolerance. Slow to moderate growth, reaching 15 feet at 20 years. Long-lived. The multi-stemmed character and horizontal branching disappear if the tree is topped or pruned heavily. Resprouts readily. Five cultivars: 'Little Gem' (5 feet), 'Monroe' (10 to 13 feet), 'Pacific Fire' (6 feet, on focus list), 'Pacific Sprite' (2 feet), and 'Sunglow'. Nineteen diseases and fifteen pests documented at genus level.

Vine maple is arguably the most useful native tree for residential landscapes in the Puget Sound lowlands. It stays small (10-20 feet), tolerates shade, handles the full range of lowland soils from glacial till to alluvial clay, and provides genuine fall color. The form changes dramatically with light: in shade it grows as an arching, multi-stemmed understory tree with ethereal horizontal grace; in full sun it becomes a dense, bushy mound. David Douglas called it bois de diable because the stems trip you in the forest, and he was right. The disease list is shared with all maples (tar spot, powdery mildew, anthracnose) but vine maple shrugs these off better than most. Fall color is yellow in shade, yellow-orange-red in sun. Establishment watering is critical the first two summers; after that, vine maple is drought-tolerant by PNW native standards. ‘Pacific Fire’ is the standout cultivar for red winter bark.

— Chris Welch, ISA Certified Arborist