This article was produced by the USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Staff, Newtown Square, PA. WOW 05-09-05. Invasive Plants Website.
China, Manchuria, and Japan
Amur maple is a small deciduous tree in the maple family (Aceraceae) that reaches to approximately 25 feet in height and 15 to 28 feet in width. Bark is grayish brown, smooth with darker striation furrows with age. Typically it is multi-stemmed with a spreading umbrella-shaped crown. Opposite, simple leaves with 3 lobes grow 2 to 4 inches in length and have a bright green color turning yellow to scarlet red in fall. Panicle of fragrant, long-stemmed, pale yellow or creamy, tall flower clusters appear in early spring when leaves are also present. Paired winged seeds are 3/4 to 1 inches long, hanging at very tight angles or nearly parallel and are dispersed to the wind when seeds ripen in early fall. Habitat: This is one of the hardiest of the maple species. It can grow in full sun or partial shade and prefers moist, well drained soils, but also tolerates dryness and soil pH of 6.1 to 7.5. It is salt tolerant and hardy in zones 3 to 8.
This species is reported from states shaded on Plants Database map. It is reported invasive in CT, IL, MA, MO, NY, VT, and WI.
This species has been planted because for its hardiness and brilliant red, scarlet or orange fall foliage; however it has escaped cultivation. It is an invasive species in the Eastern Region. It has the potential to displace native shrubs and under story trees in open forests, and shades out native species in prairie habitats.
Control and Management
- Manual - Hand pulling, cutting, prescribed burning
- Chemical- It can be effectively controlled using any of several readily available general use herbicides such as Glyphosate. Follow label and state requirements.
- Amur Maple. U.S. Forest Service.