Tatarian Maple

A small deciduous tree from southeastern Europe and western Asia, 15 to 20 feet tall with a rounded form. Found in deciduous oak scrub, rocky slopes, and river valleys at 500 to 1,700 metres. Leaves are opposite, simple, 5 to 10 cm long, usually unlobed on mature trees (young trees may show 2 to 5 lobes), with doubly serrate margins, medium green. Bark is thin, pale brown, smooth at first, becoming shallowly fissured. Flowers are greenish-white in upright, long-stalked panicles in April. Samaras are 2 to 2.5 cm with nearly parallel wings, ripening to vivid red that can be nearly as showy as the fall foliage. Fall color varies: yellow, red, reddish-brown.

Hardy to Zone 3a. Full sun to part shade. Moist but adaptable soils across a wide pH range (4.5 to 8.5). Medium growth rate. Tolerates drought and clay soil. Low maintenance. One cultivar documented: 'Flame'. Nineteen diseases and eleven pests at genus level; Verticillium wilt is the primary serious concern. The modest size, drought tolerance, and site adaptability make it functional where larger maples will not fit.