Rocky Mountain maple
Acer glabrum · Sapindaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around rocky mountain maple and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- Spring (April-May)
- Adult size
- 6 to 10 m in height
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- -30 °C approximately
- Origin
- Western North America
- Soil type
- Well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic to neutral
Care
Exposure
Place your dwarf maple in full sun or partial shade. A sunny exposure promotes beautiful fall leaf coloration. Avoid areas that are too hot and dry, which slow growth.
Watering
Water regularly during the first two years after planting to encourage root establishment. Once established, the tree tolerates moderate drought well. Keep the soil slightly moist during extended hot periods.
Soil Preparation and Maintenance
Prepare soil rich in organic matter, well-drained and neutral to slightly acidic. Adding compost at planting promotes better growth. Mulch the base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Pruning and Structure
Pruning is only necessary to remove dead or poorly placed branches, preferably in winter during dormancy. Maintain a natural shape by removing crossing branches. Avoid cutting too short, which weakens the tree.
Fertilization
Undemanding, the dwarf maple requires only moderate feeding. Apply balanced fertilizer in spring if soil is poor. An organic mulch renewed annually is usually sufficient to maintain fertility.
Health and Prevention
The dwarf maple is relatively disease-resistant. Watch for leaf spots or aphids on young shoots in spring. Promote good canopy air circulation by removing crowded branches.
Did you know?
Acer glabrum is also called the "smooth maple" in reference to its characteristic smooth bark. Native Americans from the Rockies traditionally used the sap of certain maples to make syrups, though glabrum is less sweet than its Quebec cousin. It is an emblematic tree of transitional forests between the mountains of the American West and subalpine zones.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Japanese mapleAcer palmatum
- Sycamore mapleAcer pseudoplatanus
- Norway mapleAcer platanoides
- Field mapleAcer campestre
- Marronnier dindeAesculus hippocastanum
- Box elderAcer negundo
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.