![]() One of the most striking is Acer griseum, paperbark maple, with bark that peels to reveal a lovely patchwork of texture and color. We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).In these dark, wet days of winter, I’m always on the lookout for trees with interesting bark-and the beauty that they bring to this muted season. The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. This information is for educational purposes only. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. There are also new cultivars and varieties being developed that show great promise for the home landscape. Paperbark maples were once very pricey trees, but are becoming more widely available. The flowers are insignificant, but do give way to double-winged samaras, also known as helicopters. The species name griseum means gray and refers to the gray undersides of the leaves. They are green on front, but a frosty blue to gray-green on the underside. The leaves are a compound trifoliate with coarsely toothed leaflets. The bark on the trunk and limbs of paperbark maple peels and curls. The bark on the trunk and limbs peels and curls, but remains on the trunk and is a beautiful contrast to the rose-brown inner bark. It is especially noted for its exfoliating orange to copper bark and showy orange fall color. It can be a single or multiple trunked tree. The paperbark maple is a small, deciduous oval tree with slender branches. Paperbark maples have few problems and require little pruning, but do not tolerate drought. In its native habitat, it grows in the understory of forests. These easy-to-grow trees tolerate clay soil and will grow in full sun to part shade. It likes average to slightly acidic, medium moist to well-drained soil. The paperbark maple grows in zones 4-8, which makes it a perfect tree for Michigan. Wilson was an avid plant collector and explorer, introducing about 2,000 Asian plant species to the West. It was soon introduced to the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. Ernest Henry “Chinese” Wilson (1876 – 1930) brought the tree from China to England in 1899. Paperbark maples are native to central China. Maple trees are an important component of the deciduous forests of North America, Europe and Asia. ![]() Trees from this family are found across the North Temperate Zone from North America to Japan. Paperbark maple was formally in the Aceraceae family, which had about 110 species. ![]() Paperbark maple is a member of the Sapindaceae family, which was formed from the genera from two former families, Aceraceae (maple) and Hippocastanaceae (horse chestnuts and buckeyes). Paperbark maple, Acer griseum, is a true showstopper, being one of those trees that is spectacular in the landscape anytime of the year. As the cooler weather settles into Michigan and vibrant leaves steal the show, you may want to think beyond the fall colors and investigate trees that add to the landscape not only in fall, but throughout the rest of the year. All-season trees provide interest to your landscape with changing leaf colors, flowers, fruit or interesting bark throughout all four seasons. Many plants have characteristics that change during all four seasons, bringing in new seasons with anticipation of changes to come. ![]()
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