Acer tataricum ‘GarAnn’
This tree profile is shared for educational purposes. Urban Forest Nursery does not currently grow this variety, but it remains part of ongoing discussions around urban tree selection.
Update 2026: Although I loved this tree, we no longer grow it because of the leaf scorch we experienced in production. You may have better luck in your climate and soils but we are also trying to expand diversity and reduce our reliance on most maple species in the landscape.
And there I was, stopped in my tracks again, walking the nursery rows. Hot Wings maple tree, acer tartaricum ‘GarAnn’ did that this summer. Bright red ‘whirlybird’ samaras had shown up in tight bunches all over these trees, nothing like I had ever seen. And then I find out that they last for at least 6 weeks with this amazing show of color. It turns out that Hot Wings was developed by Colorado State University and introduced by Plant Select so its origin is notable. Frankly, acer tartaricum maple never impressed me much although touted as a tough cold hardy tree with a wide range of soil condition tolerance. Structure can be challenging and fall color was only so so. But the bright, and I mean bright ‘Hot Wings’ during the summer, while most everything else is just green, steal the show and raise this tree to a new level.
Because of its challenging structure, many are grown as multi-stem trees, and well it should be. This form just brings the red bouquet of hot wings closer to eye level. The ultimate height and width is approximately 25 feet, so not only an excellent garden addition but also a great candidate for an under power-line street tree. Crown form is somewhat rounded and the bark is a light brown.
I mention fall color as so so, but others report interesting fall red color, likely in the colder climates. This is a zone 3 tree so take note Alaska and east-siders for another great tree to add to your list to consider. The Hot Wings maple is also touted as being drought tolerant and soils tolerance from acidic to alkaline which can be a real advantage to our wide mix recipe of urban soils.
Growth rate can be fast once established so you have to jump on the structural pruning early in its establishment. Transplanting does not appear to be difficult given the 100% establishment rate of all that I have seen planted. Let me know if you have any experience with these trees.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE TREE PROFILES
Jim Barborinas
Owner of Urban Forest Nursery, Inc.
ISA Certified Arborist #0135
ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #356
15119 McLean Rd.
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
jim@urbanforestnursery.com
Still wondering if Hot Wings® Maple is the right fit for your landscape or street planting?
Here are some common questions we hear from people considering this tree:
Although we really liked this tree, we stopped growing it after consistently seeing leaf scorch during production. It may perform better in different climates or soil conditions, but we’ve also been working to expand species diversity and reduce reliance on maples overall.
The standout feature is its bright red samaras that appear in dense clusters during summer and last for several weeks. This display adds a unique burst of color at a time when most trees are simply green. It’s also known for tolerating a wide range of soil conditions and handling drought once established.
Yes, its smaller size makes it well-suited for those situations. It typically reaches around 25 feet tall and wide, with a rounded form, making it a good fit for gardens or planting beneath overhead utilities.
If you’re looking for a smaller, power-line-friendly street tree, there are several excellent alternatives. Consider Acer griseum, Parrotia persica ‘Ruby Vase®’, or City Sprite® Zelkova—all of these options are well-suited to urban settings while offering strong structure and attractive form.