Paperbark Maple

Endemic to central China.

• Found in the provinces of Gansu, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Sichuan
• Grows at elevations of 1,500 to 2,000 meters in mixed mountain forests
• Occurs on rocky slopes, forest margins, and along stream valleys
• First collected for Western science by Ernest Henry "Chinese" Wilson in Hubei province in 1901
• Seeds were sent to the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, where the species was first cultivated in North America
• Wild populations are scattered and fragmented, contributing to its endangered status
• Described by the French botanist Adrien René Franchet in 1894

A small to medium deciduous tree with an upright, oval to rounded crown.

Bark:
• The defining feature: rich cinnamon to reddish-brown bark that exfoliates in thin, papery curls
• Peeling reveals smooth, lighter coppery-tan inner bark
• Bark is striking at all seasons but especially dramatic in winter

Leaves:
• Opposite, trifoliate (compound with 3 leaflets), unusual among maples
• Each leaflet 5 to 10 cm long, oval to oblong, dark blue-green above, glaucous beneath
• Margins are coarsely toothed
• Fall color is brilliant scarlet to orange-red

Fruit:
• Paired samaras, approximately 3 cm long, with pubescent nutlets
• Wings spreading at an acute angle

Size:
• Typically 6 to 9 meters tall and 4 to 6 meters wide at maturity
• Slow-growing, adding 15 to 30 cm per year

Paperbark Maple occupies a specialized ecological niche in its native Chinese mountain forests.

• Grows as an understory or subcanopy tree in mixed deciduous-coniferous forests
• Often found on rocky, well-drained slopes and stream margins
• Tolerant of shade when young
• Limited sexual reproduction in the wild — many wild populations show low seed viability
• Seeds require cold stratification for germination
• The species' trifoliate leaves are an adaptation to the drier, higher-elevation habitats it occupies
• Provides food for native Chinese wildlife through its seeds and browse

Classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

• Wild populations are small, scattered, and declining
• Primary threats include deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and land conversion for agriculture
• Over-collection of seeds and saplings for horticulture has also contributed to declines
• Very limited natural regeneration observed in the wild
• Conservation efforts include seed banking and ex situ cultivation in botanical gardens worldwide
• The species is well-represented in cultivation, ensuring its survival in horticulture even as wild populations decline
• Listed on CITES Appendix II, regulating international trade

Paperbark Maple is a relatively easy tree to grow with proper siting.

• Hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8
• Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 5.5 to 7.0)
• Tolerates clay soils if drainage is adequate
• Best in full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade is beneficial in hot climates
• Requires regular watering during establishment; moderately drought-tolerant once established
• Slow growth rate makes it suitable for smaller landscapes
• Requires minimal pruning; prune in late summer to avoid sap bleeding
• An outstanding specimen tree for four-season interest
• Difficult to propagate from seed due to low viability; most nursery stock is grafted or propagated from cuttings

Paperbark Maple is primarily valued as an ornamental specimen tree.

Ornamental:
• One of the finest small ornamental trees for temperate gardens
• Year-round interest: peeling bark in winter, trifoliate leaves in summer, brilliant red fall color
• Excellent specimen tree for residential gardens, courtyards, and small parks
• Frequently featured in botanical garden collections worldwide

Horticultural significance:
• A parent species in several hybrid maples, including Acer x freemanii crosses
• Valued by plant collectors and arboreta for its rarity and beauty

Conservation:
• Cultivated specimens serve as a genetic reservoir for this endangered species
• Seed collections maintained by major arboreta help preserve genetic diversity