Description

Leaves: Opposite; simple; 1-1/2" to 3" long; deciduous; palmately 3-lobed, middle lobe longer than side lobes; doubly serrate margin; dark green and lustrous above; light green beneath; turning yellow to red in fall; petiole 1/2" to 1-3/4" long.

Twigs/buds: Twigs slender; gray-brown; glabrous.  Terminal and lateral buds 1/8" long, red-brown, glabrous.

Flowers/fruit: Flowers dioecious (some are perfect); yellow-white and fairly inconspicuous; appear with the leaves.  Fruit a samara; 2 parallel wings, 3/4" to 1" long; matures in fall.

Bark: Smooth and gray-brown with dark streaks like serviceberry.

Wood: No information available.

General: Native to central and northern China, Manchuria, and Japan.  Moderately shade tolerant.

Landscape Use: Many varieties are available commercially that vary from small shrubs to small trees.  The main problem with this species in Utah is chlorosis on high pH soils.  It's use should be limited to areas where soil pH is fairly low.  Fall color can be excellent, but is inconsistent.  Zones 2-8.

Cultivars: 'Compactum', Durand Dwarf', 'Embers', 'Emerald Elf', 'Flame', 'Mandy', 'Red Fruit', 'Summer Splendor', var. semenovii.

Characteristics