Paperbark Maple
Acer griseum
Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 20 to 30 ft tall and 15 to 25 ft wide, slow-growing, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade to dappled sun. Needs a protected site; does not transplant well when bare-rooted.
medium water20 to 30 ft tall and 15 to 25 ft wide
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) M. Whitson, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Sten Porse, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
- Photo 3: (c) Salicyna, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
- Photo 4: (c) Krzysztof Golik, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
- Photo 5: (c) M. Whitson, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4 to 8
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade, dappled sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 20 to 30 ft tall and 15 to 25 ft wide
- Mature form
- Oval / upright
- Spacing / clearance
- ~25 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Medium
What it looks like, and when
- Fall color
- Red, orange
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
Site factors to consider
- 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: TransplantsIt resents being moved, so start with smaller stock, plant in spring, and get the spot right the first time.
- Watch: ExposureIt wants shelter; open, windy, reflected-heat sites batter it, so tuck it against a building or a windbreak.
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.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Paperbark Maple good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Paperbark Maple is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- Why is Paperbark Maple only conditionally recommended on the Front Range?
- The main catches here: 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 big does Paperbark Maple get?
- It matures to about 20 to 30 ft tall and 15 to 25 ft wide.
- How much room does Paperbark Maple need?
- Give Paperbark Maple about 25 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Paperbark Maple grow into?
- Paperbark Maple typically grows into an upright-oval crown, taller than it is wide. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Paperbark Maple hardy on the Front Range?
- Paperbark Maple is hardy in USDA 4 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 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 Paperbark Maple need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Paperbark Maple grow?
- Paperbark Maple is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Paperbark Maple live?
- Paperbark Maple has a moderate lifespan for a Front Range tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does Paperbark Maple turn in fall?
- Paperbark Maple turns red and orange in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Paperbark Maple native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Paperbark Maple prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Paperbark Maple 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.
