Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Acer davidii

Père David's maple

A deciduous tree with arching branches and green- and white-streaked bark. Leaves can be ovate, unlobed or shallowly lobed, and are mid-green to 15cm in length. In autumn, leaves turn orange to yellow, when pink-brown fruit are also borne

Other common names
snake-bark maple
Synonyms
Acer laxiflorum var. ningpoense

Join the RHS

Become an RHS Member today and save 30% on your first year

Join now
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green White Yellow Green
Summer Green White Green
Autumn Green White Orange Yellow Green Brown Pink
Winter Green White
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Sapindaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
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
China

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a moist but well-drained soil

Propagation

Propagate by grafting or softwood cuttings

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

Pruning group 1

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

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.