Paperbark Maple
Acer griseum
Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 20–30 ft tall and 15–25 ft wide, slow-growing, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade to dappled sun. Needs a protected site; does not transplant well when bare-rooted.
medium water20–30 ft tall and 15–25 ft wide
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) M. Whitson, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Sten Porse, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
- Photo 3: (c) Salicyna, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
- Photo 4: (c) Krzysztof Golik, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
- Photo 5: (c) M. Whitson, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade, dappled sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 20–30 ft tall and 15–25 ft wide
- Mature form
- Oval / upright
- Spacing / clearance
- ~25 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Medium
What it looks like, and when
- Fall color
- Red, orange
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- Watch: TransplantsIt resents being moved, so start with smaller stock, plant in spring, and get the spot right the first time.
- Watch: ExposureIt wants shelter; open, windy, reflected-heat sites batter it, so tuck it against a building or a windbreak.
Common problems on the Front Range
- Aphids and honeydew
- Verticillium wilt on some species
- Leaf scorch in hot, dry, windy sites
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Paperbark Maple good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Paperbark Maple is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- Why is Paperbark Maple only conditionally recommended on the Front Range?
- The main catches here: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How big does Paperbark Maple get?
- It matures to about 20–30 ft tall and 15–25 ft wide.
- How much room does Paperbark Maple need?
- Give Paperbark Maple about 25 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Paperbark Maple grow into?
- Paperbark Maple typically grows into an upright-oval crown, taller than it is wide. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Paperbark Maple hardy on the Front Range?
- Paperbark Maple is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How much water does Paperbark Maple need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Paperbark Maple grow?
- Paperbark Maple is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Paperbark Maple live?
- Paperbark Maple has a moderate lifespan for a Front Range tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does Paperbark Maple turn in fall?
- Paperbark Maple turns red and orange in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Paperbark Maple native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Paperbark Maple deer-resistant?
- No. Paperbark Maple is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is Paperbark Maple prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Paperbark Maple can be affected by aphids and honeydew and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
