The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: vine maple

Family: Aceraceae (maple family)

Distribution: n.w. North America

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Hardiness: USDA Zone 6

Life form: Deciduous tree

Comments: Vine maple is native to western North America, from southwest British Columbia to northern California. It belongs to the Palmatum group of maples, which includes Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) among other species. It is commonly an understory plant in the evergreen forest, growing only up to 25' tall. The leaves typically have 7-11 lobes and are almost circular in outline. The fall color of vine maple is one of its best characteristics, ranging from bright yellow-orange to red. This tree tends to bend over very easily, sometimes growing into the ground and sending out a new root system to create a natural arch.