Wetland and Aquatic Vine Maple

Cistus Design Nursery

Cistus Design Nursery

Heritage Seedlings

© Great Plant Picks

© Great Plant Picks

Cistus Design Nursery

Brooks Tree Farm

Common Name: Wetland and Aquatic Vine Maple

Great Plant Picks - 

A classic multi-stemmed tree for the northwest garden, this durable native produces sprawling branches when growing in the shade of the native conifer forest. Vine maple is very closely related to Japanese maples and has the same versatility in the small garden or woodland, but with a more relaxed feel. Its trunks are green when young and have architectural interest. Fresh, light green leaves turn orange and red with partial to full sun early in the autumn, and hold their color well though the season. Vine maple is one of our best native trees for the urban garden.

Vine maple will grow well in full sun to deep shade, but the best autumn color is with at least half a day of sun. It is remarkably adaptable to soil types, growing well in sandy to clay soils and well-drained to moist locations. It grows more quickly (12 to 18 inches a year) when young and slows with maturity. In sun the form is more upright, while in shade the branching habit is gracefully open and sprawling.