Acer formosanum
Oliver's Taiwanese maple
Slow-growing, deciduous tree about 5m tall, much larger in the wild, with smooth greyish-brown bark, dark slender stems and glossy, narrowly, 3-5 lobed, mid-green leaves to 8cm wide and long, with orange to crimson-bronze autumn colour. Spring flowers are yellowish and followed by brown winged fruits in mid autumn
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Yellow Green | Green | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green | |||
Autumn | Red Bronze | Brown | ||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Acer can be deciduous trees or large shrubs with paired, often palmately-lobed leaves and small flowers followed by characteristic winged fruits. Many have fine autumn colour, and some have ornamental stems
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any moisture-retentive, well-drained soil with sun or partial shade, sheltered from strong winds. Leaf scorch can be caused by lack of soil moisture or excessive exposure. See tree cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed (trees and shrubs), layering in autumn, grafting in late winter or softwood cuttings in early summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
Pruning
Pruning group 1, if necessary, from late autumn to midwinter only
Pests
May be susceptible to Acer gall mite, aphids, caterpillars and horse chestnut scale
Diseases
May be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, Acer leaf scorch and honey fungus
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