Tatarian Maple

Acer tataricum

Leaves: Deciduous. Leaves are 2 to 4 inches long, 1 to 3 inches wide and similar to the Amur maple. They are unlobed or slightly 3-lobed with coarsely serrated edges and are not glossy. Bright green leaf color and yellow or red in the fall.

Bark/Twigs: Gray-brown bark that is smooth when young and more furrowed with age.

Flowers/Fruit: Green-white to cream colored flowers are produced in mid spring. Winged seeds (samara) in pairs are ¾ to 1 inch long. They have bright pink to red colored samaras for several weeks before maturing.

Mature size and shape: Small. 15 to 25 feet high. Rounded shape.

General information/special features: Plant in full sun. Tolerant of drought and alkaline soil. The species is named after the Tatar people in southern Russia.

Landscape use and maintenance: Good alternative to Amur maple and is not as chlorotic. Average growing rate. Average maintenance. Seeds can be messy.

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8

Family/Origin: Aceraceae – Maple. Native to central and southeastern Europe and temperate western Asia.

Campus Use: Somewhat uncommon. Can be found east of the Huntsman Basketball Facility (Bld 99).