Paperbark maple Acer griseum
Paperbark maple (Acer griseum) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Sapindaceae family, native to Central China (Hubei, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu, Henan, Hunan). It grows 6–10 m (20–33 ft) tall and 4–7 m (13–23 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
Plan Paperbark maple in your garden →
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Paperbark maple at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Sapindaceae |
| Mature height | 6–10 m (20–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–7 m (13–23 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Central China (Hubei, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu, Henan, Hunan) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇨🇳 China |
Is Paperbark maple toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous (unlike red maple, which harms horses).
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Paperbark maple
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Paperbark maple
- How far apart should I plant Paperbark maple?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–7 m (13–23 ft).
- Does Paperbark maple need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Paperbark maple need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Paperbark maple?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Paperbark maple flower?
- From about April for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Paperbark maple poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous (unlike red maple, which harms horses).
- What grows well with Paperbark maple?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Paperbark maple. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- A small, slow tree grown for its cinnamon-red bark that peels in thin curls all year, and leaves of three leaflets that turn scarlet in autumn. Ernest Wilson brought it to Britain in 1901; it is rare in the wild, and many seeds are empty, so it stays expensive.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Japanese maple Acer palmatum
- Red maple Acer rubrum
- Lychee Litchi chinensis
- Longan Dimocarpus longan
- Rambutan Nephelium lappaceum
- Sugar maple Acer saccharum
- Norway maple Acer platanoides
- Field maple Acer campestre