Acer obtusifolium

RHS Plant Profile
Syrian maple

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Syrian maple visionspictures.com

Other common names

Cyprus maple

Synonyms

Acer syriacum
Acer orientale var. obtusifolium

Trees

A semi-evergreen tree, to 8m high or more, with leathery, simple or shallowly 3-lobed, dark green leaves, often curved downwards at the edges. Tassels of small yellow-green flowers are produced in spring, followed by tan-coloured winged seeds that are often flushed with reddish-pink

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Sapindaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
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
Eastern Mediterranean

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in almost any soil, will tolerate some drought once established. May be deciduous in cold winters

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