Vine Maples are especially pleasing if they can be placed where afternoon sun can backlight the glowing leaves, and they are right at home beside a stream or 'dry creekbed' landscape feature. Underplanting a Vine Maple with spring bulbs or low-growing native plants including perennials is quite charming, and provides an opportunity to explore a shade-loving palette. Since the leaves are small (similar in size to Japanese maples) they make for easy cleanup in the fall and are not likely to cause clogged gutters like those of Bigleaf Maple. Because the canopy is fairly narrow, it can be easily pruned to arch gracefully over a path or the eaves of your house, without causing damage. Uses for this small tree include placement in tight or shady areas close to a structure or walkway. Allow the upper canopy to spread with just occasional thinning as needed for light and wind passage. The bark is best displayed by using an upright pruning style, with the usually multi-trunked Vine Maple cleared of lower branches and excess root suckers. (Young trees have greener bark that improves with age). Even within the city limits of Lincoln City, several blocks from the ocean, the Vine Maple is capable of a display including reds and yellows, and lasting several weeks.Įntering winter we enjoy another fine feature of this tree, the lovely mottled grey-and-white smooth bark. Since they are adapted to our mild climate, it takes little of the cold fall air to bring on the color. Partly this is due to the climate, since great fall color is a combination of sunny weather and cold night temps. So it's pretty disappointing when your maple goes from summer green to dead brown all in one shot.

Depending on the species, it may range from a solid golden showing to a blazing range of sunset hues. One of the primary features sought after when choosing a maple tree is that amazing display of fall color. A coastal gardener might plant a perfectly good Willamette-Valley-grown nursery tree, like an upright Japanese maple, only to see it defoliate on one side, lean away from prevailing winds, leaf tips turning brown and crispy in mid-summer and finally an early drop of sad brown leaves without any fall glory. Other maples will grow here, given sufficient moisture, good drainage and shelter from wind. More often than not, after determining their specific goal- color? shade? accent tree?- my answer is to suggest the coastal native Vine Maple, Acer circinatum. Most folks don't have room in the yard to even consider our Northwest native Bigleaf Maple ( Acer macrophyllum). Sometimes they are interested in an upright, larger species like the taller Japanese varieties, or even a Red Maple ( Acer rubrum).

Usually what they mean is a Japanese maple ( Acer palmatum), like a Coral Bark Maple or a Laceleaf Maple. Vine maple fall color at Tilden Botanic Garden in Berkeley CA,įairly often I am asked by coastal garden clients whether they can plant a maple tree.

Vine maple big leaf maple