Acer pensylvanicum L.
Striped maple, Moosewood
Aceraceae (Maple Family)
USDA Symbol: ACPE
Striped maple is a 20-40 ft., deciduous, understory tree with a graceful, arching, uneven crown and short trunk. The bark is smooth and green with longitudinal, white stripes on the trunk and branches. Old trunks lose the pronounced striping. Fall foliage is lemon-yellow. Unlike other native maples, the green flowers of this species are terminal and pendulous.
From the Image Gallery
Plant CharacteristicsDuration: Perennial
Autumn Foliage: yes
Size Class: 36-72 ft.
Bloom InformationBloom Color: Yellow , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Apr , May
DistributionUSA: CT , GA , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NS , ON , PE
Native Distribution: ME & adjacent Canada to s.e. Ont. & U.P., MI, s. through mts. to n. GA
Native Habitat: Rich, shady woods
Growing ConditionsWater Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Cool, well-drained, moist, acidic soils.
PropagationDescription: Propagate by stratified seed or cuttings. Late softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings may root under mist, however percentages are often low.
Seed Collection: Only female trees have seeds. The winged fruit of maples is called a samara. Seed is usually not extracted from the samara.
Seed Treatment: 3-4 months of cold stratication will improve germination.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
From the National Suppliers DirectoryAccording to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:
ArcheWild Native Nurseries - Quakertown, PA
From the National Organizations DirectoryAccording to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:
Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
BibliographyBibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
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Additional resourcesUSDA: Find Acer pensylvanicum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Acer pensylvanicum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Acer pensylvanicum
MetadataRecord Modified: 2012-10-15
Research By: TWC Staff