Acer griseum

Acer griseum, commonly known as the Paperbark Maple, was first introduced to England by the legendary plant hunter Ernst Wilson and is renowned for the elegance of its peeling bark. Cinnamon to reddish-brown in colour, the bark resembles peeling paper, creating a captivating display throughout the year. It adds not only a unique textural element, but also unveils the trees inner layers revealing a polished appearance. As the tree matures, continue to lift the canopy by removing the lower branches, exposing the magnificent bark.

This small tree reaches heights around 3m in 15 years and forms an elegant crown. The leaves are dark green in spring and summer and transform to vibrant shades of red in autumn. During the hours of the autumn sunrise its real beauty shines. With its leaves in spectacular shades of red and translucent bark ignited by the morning sun, this scorching tree can appear to be ablaze. Unlike the majority of maples, it does not have a defined leader and breaks low down, further enhancing the image of flames.

The Paperbark Maple is valued for its ease of maintenance and ability to withstand urban environments. For this reason, it makes a great park tree.

With fertile seeds being so low, the Paperbark Maple is a true advert for trees that need our assistance. Hillier continues to pioneer with the production of this fantastic tree in our British-grown field nursery.