About
Acer ceriferum is an uncommon small deciduous tree, typically reaching around 5 meters in height. Its leaves are glossy green and feature 7 to 9 lobes, with a soft, hairy texture underneath. In spring, the foliage exhibits yellow-red hues, transitioning to purple-red in the fall. Late spring brings purplish flowers, which are succeeded by sizable brown winged fruits.
About the genus
Acer consists of deciduous trees or sizable shrubs featuring pairs of leaves that are frequently palmately lobed. These plants produce small flowers that give way to distinctive winged fruits. Numerous species display vibrant autumn foliage, while certain varieties also exhibit decorative stems.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Sand, Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
- Native to
- C China
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. See tree cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1, if necessary, from late autumn to midwinter only
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed (trees and shrubs), layering in autumn, grafting in late winter or softwood cuttings in early summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to Acer gall mite, aphids, caterpillars and horse chestnut scale
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, Acer leaf scorch and honey fungus