Acer capillipes

23 Nov

Acer capillipes (12/11/2011, Kew, London)

Position: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Flowering period: Late Spring

Soil: Moist, well-drained

Eventual Height: 12m

Eventual Spread: 8m

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family:Sapindaceae

Acer capillipes Autumn Leaf (16/11/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Acer capillipes is a small deciduous tree with a spreading crown and arching branches. Its mid green leaves are up to 15cm long and 12cm broad, with three or five lobes. These basal lobes are quiet small and have a serrated margin, conspicuous veining and a reddish petiole. Its leaves become red/ yellow in autumn before they fall. The bark of the tree is smooth, olive green with regular narrow vertical white stripes and small horizontal brownish lenticels, it retains this pattern even on very old trees. The trunk of this tree may achieve a diameter of 70cm although more usually they are smaller with multiple stems and slender branches. The flowers are small, greenish yellow and are produced on drooping racemes. These racemes are initially first then they become pendulous. The fruit, a samara nutlet, is 5 millimeters long with a 2 centimeter long wing.

Acer capillipes seed (12/11/2011, Kew, London)

Acer capillipes, commonly known as the Snake Bark Maple, Red Snake Bark Maple or Kyushu Maple, is native to the mountainous regions in Japan on central and southern Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku Islands, usually growing alongside mountain streams.Acer capillipes was introduced into the Arnold Arboretum in 1892 as a many stemmed tree like shrub.

The etymology of the binomial name Acer is derived from the classical Latin name for the Maple. Capillipes is derived from the Latin capillus for thread or hair, this refers to the fine branches of this tree.

The landscape architect may find Acer capillipes useful as a small ornamental specimen tree in a parkland scheme or domestic garden. It has an architectural habit, interesting bark and attractive red autumn foliage.