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Acer pectinatum

Wongka maple

A shrubby, deciduous, very ornamental tree about 10-15m in height, with green streaked bark, the young wood red-purple, and 3 to 5-lobed matt green leaves, paler beneath, red when young, turning yellow to orange in autumn with red petioles to 7cm long; purplish late spring flowers are followed by winged fruits in mid autumn

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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
4–8 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Green Red
Summer Green
Autumn Orange Yellow Purple Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or West–facing or North–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Sapindaceae
Native to the UK
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

Plant range
Himalaya to China, Myanmar

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil, best in neutral to acid soil in sun or partial shade. See tree cultivation for further advice

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
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

Pruning group 1, only from late autumn to mid-winter

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and scale insects, including horse chestnut scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, Acer leaf scorch and honey fungus

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