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Acer davidii 'Karmen'

Père David's maple 'Karmen'

A deciduous tree, up to 10m high in 20 years, with distinctly white-streaked bark and narrow, tapered leaves that are shallowly lobed on young shoots. Leaves emerge deep brown and bronze, gradually turning green in summer and then rich orange and yellow in autumn

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

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Sapindaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright, Spreading branched
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moisture-retentive, well-drained soil, in a sheltered position with protection from drying winds. Thrives in part shade, as some sun is needed to develop the leaf colour, but will tolerate full sun if soil is reliably moist. Mulch in spring to improve moisture retention

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings, layering or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • Low Maintenance
Pruning

Minimal pruning required; see pruning group 1. Prune from late autumn to mid-winter 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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