Common
Name: Tatarian MapleScientific Name: Acer tataricum
Family: Aceraceae
This Tree in Colorado: Tolerant of poor alkaline soils and cold winters. Less prone to develop iron chlorosis in alkaline soils than its close relative Amur Maple. Some botanists consider Amur Maple to be a subspecies of Tatarian Maple.
Growth Habit: Large, multi-stemmed shrub or small rounded tree.
Growth Rate and Mature Size: slow to medium growth to 15 - 20 feet tall.
Hardiness: Best in Zones 3-6, to 8000 ft. elevation; slightly less hardy than Amur Maple.
Cultivars: Few, usually just seed-grown Acer tataricum is sold. 'Hoerner' and 'Rubrum' are scarce in the nursery trade. 'Hot Wings', a selection from Fort Collins Nursery, is expected to become popular. A few hybrids of Tatarian and Amur maple exist.
Leaves: Opposite, simple, medium to dark green, not as obviously lobed as other maples' leaves. Fall color varies from yellow to reddish-orange to reddish-purple, often less vivid than Amur Maple fall color.
Flowers: Small, off-white, attractive, early May to June depending on elevation and exposure.
Fruit: 1" long twin samaras turn red in August, then brown in fall, often persisting through winter.
Landscape Value: Attractive small tree for limited spaces. Does well in alkaline soils; moderately drought tolerant. Flowers, red fruit/seeds and fall color are assets; popularity in Colorado should increase as cultivars with dependable red fall color are released. Small mature size makes it good for planting under power lines; tolerates partial shade.
Potential Diseases and Insects: few problems, possible leafspots.
Best Advice: Underutilized due to landscape preference for Amur Maple, but consider it where iron chlorosis develops on Amur and other maples, as long as soil pH is less than 8.0
Information Source: Robert Cox; Dirr, MA, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, 5th Ed., 1998.
Photos: Robert Cox, Jim Feucht, Jim Klett