The Subtle Beauty of Vine Maples

We have a very special tree – The Hobbit Tree. Deep in the forest at the edge of our property there is an old gnarly vine maple (Acer circinatum), defying gravity and dripping with moss. It was all but buried under blackberries and reed canary grass and surrounded  by alders and several Douglas fir trees. My husband discovered – and named it, while clearing out the brush one day.

Its contorted shape was so improbable and being set in a shadowy green grove that he could almost believe he had stepped into the pages of Tolkien – hence its name The Hobbit Tree.

In its’ natural environment the vine maple is an understory plant – either a large shrub or small tree depending upon your perspective, slowly growing to 30’ tall and 20’ wide. It can be found in quite dense shade under a canopy of towering conifers in which case its growth habit will be rather leggy like ours. At the edge of a woodland where it receives more sun the habit will be more rounded.

Typically vine maples are multi trunked branching from close to the base which creates an interesting silhouette, especially in winter when the smooth olive green bark is revealed.  In spring bright green leaves unfurl, held on red stems, each circular leaf pleated like a tiny fan. The color deepens to mid-green by summer but is perhaps best known for its array of fiery fall colors which can start as early as August.  As autumn progresses they make a spectacular sight dotted on the hillsides surrounded by evergreens.

Such beauty need not be limited to the natural landscape of course. Due to their small size they are well suited to the home garden as specimen trees or transitional elements. I have used them many times in gardens which back onto natural habitats such as wetlands or green belts. In narrow spaces I seek out single trunked trees or one of the smaller cultivars. Vine maples are also useful where soil erosion is a problem such as stream banks.

Cultivars

Pacific Fire came onto the market a few years  ago, celebrated for its vivid salmon pink bark which rivals the popular coral bark maple (Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku'). Or it could be an alternative to the invasive forms of red twig  dogwoods. It is much smaller than the species at 6’ x 6’ yet has the same attractive leaf.

 

 

 

Monroe will be hard to track down but worth the hunt. It’s leaves are more finely dissected and resemble a Japanese maple. It has a more open branching structure and grows a little smaller than the species.

 

 

 

 

 

Little gem. I spotted this at Dragonfly Farms Nursery in Kingston, WA just yesterday and of course it leapt into the back of my car before I knew it! This is a witches broom (a funky, twiggy growth off a regular tree)  found in Vancouver BC and promises to be a spectacular shrub growing to about 4’ a 4’. Mine has leaves about 1/3 the size of the regular tree and the bark is colorful with both red and green evident.  I’m going to place this as I would a small Japanese maple – adjacent to a boulder or water perhaps. A backdrop of either deep green or burgundy would showcase the foliage the best  and definitely close to a pathway so I can enjoy it. Vine maples scorch in hot afternoon sun so I need to place it where it is either in dappled light or at least just has direct sun in the morning. It would also make a wonderful container plant.

I am often inspired by Nature and this little maple is a case in point. The highly ornamental  Japanese maples are outstanding and I have quite a few (with plans for a few more!), but there is something to be said for looking at your surroundings, seeing what does well  and emulating that. Not every plant  in your garden has to scream “Look at me!”. Sometimes a more subtle beauty is needed.

Cultural requirements

Mature size – rarely exceeds 30’; usually 10-12’ tall and wide in a home garden

Soil – fertile, moisture retentive soil is ideal but this tough tree is pretty adaptable. Its native soil is acidic

Sun/shade – avoid afternoon soon

Water – drought tolerant after a few years in moisture retentive soil

Companion planting – ferns, hostas and hellebores are all perfect partners. ‘Ivory Prince’ hellebore looks beautiful massed underneath,since the apple green in the flowers repeats the trees bark color.

Hardiness – USDA 6-9

Resources

Monrovia

Forest Farms

Portland Nursery

East Bay Wilds