Acer tataricum aka Tatarian Maple

Acer tataricum, known as Tatarian maple and sometimes Amur maple, is a deciduous member of the soapberry family, Sapindaceae. It grows wild in forests from east-central Europe across western Asia, and its range reaches Japan and northern Iran. The species name refers to Tartary, an old name for a large region of central and northern Asia.

In gardens it forms a small upright tree with a dense, rounded crown, or a large shrub with several stems. Most plants reach 15 to 20 feet (4.5 to 6 m) tall, with a similar spread. Some sources record trees up to 30 feet (9 m). Growth is slow to moderate, and a plant takes 10 to 20 years to reach full size. Young bark is smooth and grey-brown. On older trunks it becomes rougher, striped or shallowly fissured. The slender twigs are reddish brown and dotted with lenticels.

The leaves sit in opposite pairs. On mature trees they are broadly ovate, almost heart-shaped, and usually unlobed, with coarse double teeth along the edges. Young trees and vigorous shoots often carry leaves with three to five shallow lobes. Each leaf is 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) long, on a pink-tinged stalk. Autumn brings a mix of yellow and red, and the leaves colour and fall early. In spring, upright panicles of small greenish-white flowers open just after the leaves emerge. The flowers carry a scent. Paired samaras about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long follow, with wings held almost parallel. They turn bright red in late summer and stay showy for weeks before ripening brown.

The tree grows best in moist, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. It accepts chalk, clay, loam and sand, and acid to alkaline conditions. Once settled it tolerates some drought, and it moves easily when transplanted. It prefers areas with cool summers and copes well with hard winters. It suits USDA zones 2 or 3 to 8 and carries the RHS rating H7. Gardeners use it as a specimen, patio tree or screen. Its small size also suits planter boxes and small groups. Pruning needs are minimal.

Serious problems are rare. Possible diseases include Verticillium wilt, stem canker, leaf spots, tar spot and anthracnose. Acer leaf scorch and honey fungus may also occur. Pests to watch for include aphids, borers, scale insects, leafhoppers, caterpillars and mites. Gall mites and horse chestnut scale can also attack it. The bigger concern is spread. The tree sets heavy crops of wind-carried seed and can form dense stands that crowd out other plants. Several US states, including Connecticut and parts of the Midwest, list it as invasive.

The sap holds some sugar. People drink it fresh or boil it down to a syrup, though it is far less sweet than sugar maple sap. The seeds can be eaten once cooked, after removing the wings. Packing the leaves around stored apples or root crops is said to help keep them. No hazards are known, and one source lists it as safe for cats and dogs.