Paperbark Maple

A slow-growing deciduous tree from central China, 20 to 30 feet tall, famous for its bark. The outer bark is copper-red to cinnamon-brown, exfoliating in large, papery curls that remain attached, creating year-round ornamental texture. The bark becomes more purple-brown with age. Leaves are opposite and trifoliate (compound with three leaflets), 7 to 13 cm long, the middle leaflet short-stalked and coarsely toothed, the laterals nearly stalkless. Blue-green above, pale to whitish below. Flowers are greenish-yellow, small, in 2.5 cm clusters in April. Samaras diverge at 60 to 90 degrees and persist into winter; approximately 95% of seeds are not viable, making propagation notoriously difficult. Fall color ranges from red-brown to striking red.

Hardy to Zone 4a. Full sun to part shade. Adaptable to varied soils including clay; prefers moist, well-drained conditions. Low maintenance. The slow growth rate means it will not outgrow a modest yard, making it one of the few maples appropriate for a fifteen-foot planting strip or patio-adjacent position. No named cultivars in the trade. Nineteen diseases and fifteen pests documented at genus level; established specimens in good sites rarely show serious problems. Nursery availability is inconsistent due to propagation difficulty.