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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

Synonyms
Acer formosanum
Acer serrulatum subsp. formosanum
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
4–8 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Sand
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
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
H6
Botanical 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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