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Acer opalus

Italian maple

A deciduous tree, to 25m or more in its native range, though often smaller in cultivation. Leaves are broad, shallowly 5-lobed, slightly glossy green, and often downy on the undersides. Clusters of small yellow flowers appear before the leaves in early spring, followed by winged seeds that are sometimes tinted silvery pink. Leaves turn yellow and rusty orange in autumn

Other common names
French maple
Synonyms
Acer italum
Acer opulifolium

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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
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Yellow Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green Yellow Orange Brown Green Grey Silver Pink
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Sapindaceae
Native to the UK
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

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moisture-retentive, well-drained soil in sun or part shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed in autumn or spring, or by softwood cuttings in summer

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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