Acer circinatum
Northwest native Vine Maple, (Acer cercinatum), a small deciduous tree, has some of the best fall colors of all natives. It’s a tough little guy that does well as an understory beneath tall evergreens. It definitely prefers shade as well as some protection.
A quick grower to 10-15 feet, the Vine Maple typically has multiple trunks and can spread to a 15′ width. It likes to grow in rich organic soils and can even tolerate periodic flooding. It will thrive in drought after well established as long as it has a little shade (does not enjoy intense heat). It blooms with white flowers in spring. This is a lovely addition to any landscape and provides local wildlife with food and nesting places.
Native collected specimens can be leggy and even less sun tolerant so lean towards nursery grown and sun acclimated plants for better success.
A good choice for the artistic gardener, Vine Maple can be trained as a tree with single trunk, it’s pliable branches can be bent to shapes of bonsai, trained along a fence, only your imagination sets a limit on ways to use this delightful native. Plant form and leaf structure can vary among the species, a trait most gardeners appreciate. They tolerate all types of pruning but are best when allowed to develop their natural form.
The most notable cultivar is ‘Pacific Fire’ with bright red twigs and a smaller mature form.
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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