Amur Maple, Acer ginnala

Common Name:  Amur maple, Titarian maple

Type: tree

Family: Sapindaceae

Zone: 3 to 8      Find Your Zone

Height: 15 to 20 feet

Width: 15 to 20 feet

Bloom Time: April to May

Bloom Color: yellowish white

Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Fall Color: Red and Orange

Soil: well drained, medium moisture

Leaves: deciduous

Fertilizer: Vigoro Tree, Shrub and Evergreen or Miracle Gro Evergreen Tree Spikes

This tree is very adaptable and can tolerate harsh climates well. This tree grows similar in size to a Japanese maple and is known for its brilliant red and orange colors in the fall. It has heavy serrated leaves and 3 lobes when mature. Its flowers are showier than many other maples and it produces abundant seed heads (sumaras). This tree makes a great specimen tree or a good street tree. It will be found on many invasive species lists, due to its profuse dispersal of its winged sumaras.

Other good substitutes for this tree might be the Smoketree,  Vitex agnus-castus or Japanese Maple.

PLANTING GUIDE

STEP 1: Digging the hole

• Find a location that has suitable sun exposure for your particular type of plant.
• Dig your hole an inch or two shallower than the rootball of the plant.
• Dig the hole twice the diameter of the rootball.
• Scuff up the sides of the hole with a shovel to help roots break through the native soil.
  

STEP 2: Putting plant in hole

• When removing the plant from the pot, check to see if the roots were circling the pot.
• If the plant is rootbound, gently break up the roots with your hands until loosened up.
• Set plant level, in the center of the hole.
• Make sure the top of the rootball is just above soil level.

STEP 3: Amending the soil and filling in the hole

• Amend the soil with proper amendments for your soil type. 
  
• Incorporate 50% native soil with 50% amendment soils like garden soil, composted manure or soil conditioner.
• Make sure dirt clods are broken up or removed from hole along with rocks.
• Fill the hole with soils to the soil level and pack down. Do not cover top of rootball with dirt.
  
• Water in thoroughly to remove air pockets.

STEP 4: Mulching and fertilizing

• Cover the planting site with at least 2 inches of the mulch of your choice (pinestraw, cupress mulch,etc.)
• High Phosphorus root stimulator fertilizers like Quick Start from Miracle Gro are great to use at time of planting.
• When planting trees, a tree stake kit may be required to prevent the wind from blowing over or breaking our newly planted tree until it becomes established.

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