Overview
A small, popular ornamental with attractive foliar colouring and eye-catching curls of cinnamon coloured bark.
 
Description  
The Paperbark maple was introduced to this country by Ernest Wilson in 1901 and is a native of central China. It has since become a favourite in gardens and parkland, standing out due to its attractive form, foliar colouring and peeling, paper thin, cinnamon coloured bark that is retained on the tree in decorative curls. The trifoliate leaves are dark green on the surface and pubescent (hairy) underneath giving them a light grey appearance. The leaves change to red and orange in the autumn. The small yellow flowers give way to the maples characteristic winged fruit. This small and hardy tree can be expected to reach 8-12m in height at maturity with a spread of up to 8m.
 
Planting Position 
As one of the hardier maple species the Paperbark maple will tolerate full sun or partial shade and copes well on soils of any type or pH. It does however grow best in moist but well drained sites and prefers a sheltered setting. Given its small size at maturity it is an excellent choice for most gardens and any formal planting scheme, although consideration must be given to its planting position in order to accommodate its potential crown spread.
 
Attributes 
As with most maples autumnal foliar colouring is a key attribute however this tree has become most popular for its unusual bark form and colour. The peeling, paper-like curls are delicate and attractive and the colouring of the bark, in particular the new bark revealed beneath the curls, makes this tree stand out in any setting. This species of tree also attracts birds, bees, butterflies and moths, and other pollinating insects.
 
Size
3-5m after 10 years
 
Bareroot options are available here