Amur Maple Facts
Amur maple trees (Acer ginnala) are native to northern Asia. They are considered to be both large shrubs and small trees, usually topping out at 15 to 20 feet (4.5-6 m.) in height. They have a natural shape of many stems grown in a clumping manner (resulting in a much more shrub-like appearance), but they can be pruned at a young age to have a single or multi trunk tree appearance. To achieve this, prune away all but a single strong leader (or for multi trunk, a few select branching stems) when the tree is very young. Amur maple trees have dark green summer foliage that turns bright shades of orange, red, and burgundy in the autumn. The trees also produce samaras (in the classic pinwheel maple seed pod shape) that turn bright red in the fall.
How to Grow an Amur Maple
Amur maple care is very easy. These maple trees are hardy from USDA zones 3a to 8b, covering most of the continental U.S. They can grow well in full sun to partial shade, a wide range of soils, and moderate drought. They can even handle aggressive pruning. Unfortunately, Amur maples are considered invasive in many places, especially the northern U.S. The trees produce a huge number of seeds, which can be spread over long distances by the wind. These escaped offspring are known to push out native understory species in forests. Before planting Amur maple trees, check with your local extension office to see if they are invasive in your area.
