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Trees

Acer tonkinense subsp. liquidambarifolium

liquidambar-leaved Tonkin maple

Extremely rare in cultivation, this deciduous tree is about 12m tall, with palmate, 3-5 evenly lobed leaves, 8-13cm across. These are sharply pointed, deep red to purple when young, the colour persisting on the undersides of the leaves, maturing to green with age, during summer, then orange-yellow to red in autumn. Spring flowers are yellow followed by yellowish autumn winged fruits

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Ultimate height

8–12 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

4–8 metres

Clay

Sand

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

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)

Botanical details

Family: Sapindaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, 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
Plant range: China, N. Vietnam

How to grow

Cultivation

Not suited to cold gardens and will need to be overwintered in a frost free place such as a conservatory or greenhouse but attention to watering is needed in dry spells during the growing season. In mild, frost-free areas, grow in moisture-retentive, well-drained soil with sun or partial shade. Leaf scorch can be caused by lack of soil moisture or excessive exposure. See tree cultivation and container cultivation

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
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Pruning group 1, if necessary, from late autumn to midwinter 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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