Acer circinatum

Identification

Gallery

Description

Vine maple, Acer circinatum is native from British Columbia along the coast to northern California and up along much of the Cascade mountain ranges. Bark is smooth and reddish. Leaves are small for a maple, flowers are 10-20 in a cluster. Fall color can be from yellow to red, summer foliage color always has some red. These trees are very shade tolerant and could easily be used in most plantings in place of Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum). Because Vine Maple is not a vigorous grower it can be held in a container. Often compared to Aspens because of the trembling, twinkling foliage and you usually find the plant in similar spots, along creeks or where there are openings and moist ground. Remember that Vine maple is a cool plant (it needs moist, cool, part-shade).