Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame
Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala
Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame (Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 15–20 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade to dappled sun. Develops iron chlorosis in our alkaline soils, leaves yellow with green veins, then decline.
low to medium water15–20 ft tall and 15–20 ft wideXeric / water-wise
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At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended for Most Sites
- Botanical name
- Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala
- Variety / cultivar
- Amur/Ginnala: Flame
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 15–20 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide
- Mature form
- Rounded
- Spacing / clearance
- ~20 ft of clearance
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–8
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifespan
- Medium
- Fall color
- Red
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade, dappled sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
- Pollinator value
- high
- Tolerates
- Hellstrips / parking strips
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Soil ChemistryOur alkaline clay locks up iron for this one, so leaves often yellow between green veins and growth stalls unless you treat it.
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- Watch: Tree Wrap/Sun ScaldThin young bark cracks and scalds in our bright winter sun, so wrap the trunk from fall to spring for its first few years.
- Watch: Short LivedFast but not forever; this one runs short lived here, so enjoy it and plan a successor rather than treating it as a legacy tree.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
Common problems on the Front Range
- Aphids and honeydew
- Verticillium wilt on some species
- Leaf scorch in hot, dry, windy sites
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply every 7–10 days through the first 2 summers. Winter water 1–2×/month October–March when soil is dry and unfrozen, winter desiccation is a top killer of newly-planted trees. Year 3: taper to 2×/month in summer, then rely on natural precipitation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame get?
- It matures to about 15–20 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide.
- How much room does Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame need?
- Give Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame about 20 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame grow into?
- Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame typically grows into a broad, rounded crown, the classic shade-tree silhouette. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame hardy on the Front Range?
- Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame is hardy in USDA 3–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How much water does Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame grow?
- Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame is a moderate-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame live?
- Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame has a moderate lifespan for a Front Range tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame turn in fall?
- Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame turns red in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame deer-resistant?
- No. Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame a good firewise plant near the house?
- Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Maple, Amur/Ginnala: Flame can be affected by aphids and honeydew and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
