Get to know this plant.
Identification clue 1
Opposite leaves
Identification clue 2
Toothed lobes with V-shaped sinuses
Identification clue 3
Paired samaras mature in spring
Diseases & insects in WNC
Problems to recognize in WNC gardens. These are documented susceptibilities, not a local outbreak report or a diagnosis. Weather, elevation and growing conditions change the risk.
Diseases & similar-looking injury
Leaf spots and cankers can occur; Verticillium wilt can cause branch wilt and decline.
Insects to recognize
Aphids, borers and scale are concerns. Gloomy scale is an important NC maple pest; inspect bark for dense small round coverings.
When to look
Look at twigs and bark year-round, and check new foliage through spring and summer.
A useful first step
Drought and hardscape stress increase problems. Photograph bark and wilting branches and confirm the cause before treatment.
More growing details
Read the leaves
Usually three or five lobes have visibly toothed edges. Compare the angular gaps with sugar maple's smoother U-shaped sinuses.
Read the bark
Smooth gray young bark becomes ridged and scaly with age.
Fruit & seed
Small paired samaras often blush red and mature in spring rather than fall.
Winter character
Rounded red flower buds clustered on opposite twigs can be useful.
Origin & place
The species occurs naturally in the southern Appalachian region; a planted specimen is not evidence of wild local origin.
WNC Notes
A native shade tree with variable fall color. Give roots adequate space and monitor stressed trees for scale and branch decline.
Sun Exposure
Full sun–part shade
MATURE HEIGHT (FT)
40–120
MATURE WIDTH (FT)
30–50
BLOOM SEASON
Late winter–early spring
BLOOM COLOR
Red
FALL / WINTER COLOR
Orange-red
Wet-Soil Tolerance
High
Drought Tolerance
Moderate
