Acer tataricum L.

A shapely Acer tataricum planted in 1965 at Bradenham Hall, Norfolk, UK; September 2014. Image Owen Johnson.

Acer tataricum JLMU 108 in flower at RBG Kew, 14 May 2025. Image John Grimshaw.

A fine specimen of Acer tataricum in late autumn. Arboretum Cimetière Parc, Nantes, France. Late November 2017. Image James Garnett.

The best feature of Acer tataricum is probably its bright red samaras in summer. Arboretum Cimetière Parc, Nantes, France. July 2013. Image James Garnett.

Autumn colors on Acer tataricum. Arboretum Cimetière Parc, Nantes, France. Early November 2014. Image James Garnett.

Inflorescence of Acer tataricum. Arboretum Cimetière Parc, Nantes, France. Late April 2014. Image James Garnett.

The trunk of a tree like Acer tataricum. Arboretum Cimetière Parc, Nantes, France. October 2014. Image James Garnett.

'Albovariegatum'

Described by Schwerin in 1910, a form with white-flecked leaves (van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom 1994). Now likely absent from collections.

'Angustilobum'

A form with leaves narrower than usual (van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom 1994), now likely absent from collections.

'Aureovariegatum'

A clone with yellow-variegated leaves (van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom 1994).

'Coccineum'

A form with red fruits described from Japan (van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom 1994).

'Hoerner'

A form that Jacobson (1996) notes has been recommended for use as a street tree, but with no further description. It was introduced in around 1993 by Schichtel Nursery, Orchard Park, New York (Jacobson 1996).

'Rubrum'

Described by van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom (1994) as a form with red-emerging foliage in spring, described in 1873, though by Jacobson (1996) as a selection with red, rather than yellow, autumn colour named in 1893, though in circulation before then (Jacobson 1996).

subsp. aidzuense (Franch.) P.C.de Jong

Described by van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom (1994) as intermediate between the typical subspecies tataricum and subsp. ginnala, subsp. aidzuense is the rarest of the subspecies in cultivation and as a wild plant. Of comparable ornamental interest to the typical subspecies, it was previously considered endemic to Japan and is named for Aidzu Prefecture, Honshu (van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom 1994).

Wild origin material is limited in collections; many plants are of unknown or uncertain origin. The UK and Irish Champion is one such example, growing at Westonbirt and measured at 8 m tall in 2024 (The Tree Register 2025). Planted in 1981, it is unsurprisingly a somewhat untidy plant, though in good condition (pers. obs. 2026). A multi-stemmed tree of better, more upright form grows at the edge of Oakwood at RHS Garden Wisley (Surrey, UK) and was measured at 8 m tall in 2021 (The Tree Register 2025). It is likely that this plant has overtaken the (more recently measured) Westonbirt plant since it was last recorded.

Plants of cultivated origin include specimens at Von Gimborn Arboretum, the Netherlands and Rogów Arboretum, Poland. Plantentuin Esveld, the Netherlands is a historic source of at least some material in European collections.

Wild-sourced material has recently been accessioned at the Arnold Arboretum, from seed collected by Arnold staff and Japanese colleagues in 2023 at Utsunomia University Farm, Tochigi, Moka, Japan, under HOKY23-13, though is yet to establish.

'Awayuki'

A form with white-dotted leaves (van Gelderen & van Gelderen 1999).

'Tenshan no nishiki'

A form with white-speckled and white-variegated leaves (van Gelderen & van Gelderen 1999).

'Yuzuki nishiki'

A form with yellow-dotted leaves (van Gelderen & van Gelderen 1999).

subsp. ginnala (Maxim.) Wesm.

Originally described as a species (and designated as the type species of Section Ginnala), subspecies ginnala found its way into Western cultivation via Russia. Having been introduced there in 1860, seeds of it were received by the Arnold Arboretum in 1874 (Jacobson 1996), and to Europe sometime thereafter. “Ginnala” is the name for the tree used by inhabitants of the Amur river valley, from which the tree takes its common name (van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom 1994).

One of the first maples to break bud in spring, it produces fruits in abundance, and makes a better choice than the typical subspecies for horticultural use. The species was awarded an RHS Award of Garden Merit in 1993, though this was rescinded in 2002 on account of its variability and that it was rarely planted. Its popularity has increased since then, and the subspecies possesses qualities that render it useful in a variety of settings, exhibiting tolerance of dry, alkaline soils and like the typical subspecies a useful choice for difficult sites (Dirr 2011). Numerous cultivars have been selected for form, autumn tones and for the colour of its maturing fruits, often bright red from summer onwards, improving on several earlier selections that lacked sufficient distinction to be considered improvements.

However, in some areas this subspecies has become a problematic invasive. Kurz (2003) noted the first escape in Missouri to be from the Plant Material Center of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Elsberry. From numerous sources the plant has become a weed across large parts of the Midwest and eastern United States (Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States 2018), with planting advised against (Kurz 2003).

In UK cultivation it has yet to become a problem species, and is advocated for use on account of its toughness and impressive autumn colours (Sjöman & Hirons 2019). Though typically multistemmed, numerous individuals have attained 10 m tall, with the current Champion a tree of 13 m, growing at Harcourt Arboretum, Oxford (The Tree Register 2025). A tree of 11 m grows along Bothferry Road in Kingston upon Hull, and noted as “one of many around the city” (The Tree Register 2025). Another tree of 11 m grows at Bicton College, Devon, while an individual at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Hampshire, was measured at 10.8 m in 2016 (The Tree Register 2025). Elsewhere in Europe, an individual planted in 1926 at the Dendrolorischen Park, Treblitzsch, Saxony, Germany was measured at 8 m tall (Monumental Trees 2025).

Wild-sourced material from various parts of the subspecies’ range is represented from material collected in recent decades. A plant grown from material collected in Jiin, China, by Philippe de Spoelberch in 1984 (PDS 081), grows at Arboretum Wespelaar, Belgium, where it produces very good autumn colour (K. Camelbeke, pers. comm. 2026). Material from further north, in Heilongjiang, is represented at the Morton Arboretum, Illinois (American Public Gardens Association 2017).

Plants of South Korean origin grows at Kew from two collections made in 1982 under numbers BECX 146 and 292. Numerous plants of the latter are also at the Yorkshire Arboretum. Plants raised from RBG Kew’s 1994 expedition to Sakhalin and Ussuri, Russia, collected under ESUS 70 are at both Kew and Bedgebury. Further material collected from Russia, from Primorsky Krai, Terney District, by staff of RBG Edinburgh and Howick Hall Arboretum grows at Benmore (Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 2023 onwards).

Plants resulting from Japanese expeditions grow at RBG Edinburgh, including grown from BBJMT 266, gathered in Nagano in September 2005 (Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 2023 onwards). Trees from the same collection also grow at Westonbirt and Bedgebury. Further material from Nagano was collected on the Edinburgh Iconic Kew Japan Expedition in October 2013 (EIKJE 260), with material at RBG Edinburgh and Dawyck (Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 2023 onwards).

The three lobed leaf and flowers of Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala at Wakehurst, West Sussex, UK. May 2018. Image Ron Kemeny.

Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala in flower at Wakehurst, West Sussex, UK. May 2018. Image Ron Kemeny.

Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala in Gansu, China, autumn 2023. Image Piotr Banaszczak.

Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala can become quite a large tree... Hemelrijk, Belgium. 30 September 2022. Image Tom Christian.

Foliage on Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala at Arboretum Het Leen Eeklo, Belgium (19 August 2024). Image © Jan De Langhe.

Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala leaves, with strongly lobed lamina (Arboretum Het Leen Eeklo, Belgium – 19 August 2024). Image © Jan De Langhe.

Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala focus on the tiny bud (Arboretum Het Leen Eeklo, Belgium – 19 August 2024). Image © Jan De Langhe.

Few bud scale scars on Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala (Arboretum Het Leen Eeklo, Belgium – 19 August 2024). Image © Jan De Langhe.

Pale lamina lower surface with some long scattered hairs on Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala (Arboretum Het Leen Eeklo, Belgium – 19 August 2024). Image © Jan De Langhe.

Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala caudate apex and double serrate dentate lamina margin (Arboretum Het Leen Eeklo, Belgium – 19 August 2024). Image © Jan De Langhe.

'Bailey Compact'

A compact, shrubby form to 2.5 m tall with scarlet autumn colour (van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom 1994; Jacobson 1996). Selected and introduced in or before 1975 by Bailey Nursery, St. Paul, Minnesota (van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom 1994; Jacobson 1996). Jacobson (1996) suggests that the selection may belong to subsp. semenovii, though both he and van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom (1994) include it under this subspecies.

'Betzam'

A clone of upright habit at first, developing an oval crown (Dirr & Warren 2019). Autumn colours are from yellowish orange to orangey red (Dirr & Warren 2019). Introduced as belonging to this subspecies and treated here, though Dirr & Warren (2019) suggest it may belong to the typical subspecies or may perhaps be derived from a cross between the two.

'Durand Dwarf'

A dwarf clone that arose as a witches’ broom in Durand Eastman Park, Rochester, New York (van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom 1994; Jacobson 1996). Introduced in 1955 by Bernard E. Harkness (van Gelderen & van Gelderen 1999), it has small leaves exhibiting red autumn colour (van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom 1994), and produces no flowers or fruits (van Gelderen & van Gelderen 1999). It attains 1.5 m in height, spreading wider (Jacobson 1996), though is prone to “sudden die-back” (van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom 1994, p.333).

'Embers'

A cultivar with red fruits and scarlet autumn colour, selected and introduced in or before 1989 by Bailey Nursery, St. Paul, Minnesota (Jacobson 1996).

'Fire'

A vigorous, densely-branched shrub developing drooping branches and exhibiting long-lasting, orange to red autumn colour (van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom 1994; van Gelderen & van Gelderen 1999). It was introduced by Plantentuin Esveld in 1982 (van Gelderen & van Gelderen 1999), having arrived at the nursery from Canada without a name (van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom 1994).

'Flame'

Described as being compact and shrubby with red fruits and red autumn colour (Jacobson 1996; Edwards & Marshall (eds) 2019), though reportedly not a clone, but rather a batch of seed-raised plants introduced by the USDA Soil Conservation Service in around 1978 which vary in form and autumn performance (Jacobson 1996). Its origins (or that of plants in cultivation on different sides of the Atlantic) appear confused however, as van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom (1994, p.333) note this selection as an ‘important improvement to seedling plants’ of the subspecies, having, like ‘Fire’, arrived at the nursery from Canada without a name and been introduced in 1982 (van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom 1994; van Gelderen & van Gelderen 1999).

'Gar Ann'

A clone with a rounded crown, named for its summer-red fruits (Edwards & Marshall (eds) 2019). Becoming as broad as it is tall and turning yellow to red in autumn (Dirr & Warren 2019), it was discovered as a chance seedling at Fort Collins Wholesale Nursery, Colarado in 1993 (Edwards & Marshall (eds) 2019).

'JFS-KW2'

Described by Dirr & Warren (2019) as the best selection for use as a street tree, it has a compact, upright form, becoming upright-oval with age (Dirr & Warren 2019). As with most selections, its fruits turn red, and autumn colour is yellow-orange to red (Dirr & Warren 2019).

'JFS-UGA'

A clone selected by Michael Dirr from a multi-stemmed plant at the University of Georgia that exhibited reliable red-purple autumn colour in the Georgia climate (Dirr 2011).

'Mondy'

A large shrub or small, multi-stemmed tree with somewhat leathery leaves that turn red, orange and yellow in autumn (van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom 1994). Introduced by Monrovia Nurseries, California (van Gelderen, de Jong & Oterdoom 1994; Jacobson 1996).

'Patdell'

Selected for its “tree form” (Dirr & Warren 2019, p.135), it develops a rounded habit. Leaves turn orange to red in autumn, with fruits also turning red (Dirr & Warren 2019).

'Red Wing'

A red-fruited cultivar, introduced by Mckay nursery, Waterloo, Wisconsin, in around 1990 (Jacobson 1996).

'Ruby Slippers'

A clone with upright growth, vibrant red fruits in summer and yellow, orange and red autumn colour that reputedly persists longer than typical for the species (Hatch 2021–2022). It was introduced by Princeton Nurseries, New Jersey, in 2004 (Hatch 2021–2022).

Vibrant-coloured fruits of 'Ruby Slippers', photographed in June 2025. Image Dan Crowley.

A row of 'Ruby Slippers' along a street in New Westminster, photographed in June 2025.

An individual of 'Ruby Slippers' on a street in New Westminster, photographed in June 2025.

'V. N. Strain'

A form with red fruits and red autumn colour, though likely to be a seed-raised batch of plants (ie. a “strain”) rather than an individual clone (Jacobson 1996). Introduced in or around the 1980s by Valley Nursery, Helena, Montana (Jacobson 1996). The “V. N.” part of the cultivar name relates to that of the nursery (Jacobson 1996).

subsp. semenovii (Reg. & Herd.) E.Murr.

Subsp. semenovii is easily distinguished from the other subspecies within Acer tataricum, possessing much smaller leaves. It was named for Russian scientist and traveller Peter Petrovich von Semenov-Tjan-Schansky (1827–1914) and introduced to Germany in 1880, and to North America in around 1912 (Jacobson 1996).

Of largely botanical rather than ornamental interest, it appears restricted to a small number of specialist collections. The largest example in the UK is a tree at RBG Kew, growing on the western edge of the woodland garden, measured at 9 m tall in 2022 having been planted in 1979 (The Tree Register 2025). Substantially taller than any other recorded in the UK, the next tallest is a tree, also at Kew, measured at 6.7 m tall in 2023 (The Tree Register 2025). A plant of unknown origin at Westonbirt was measured at 5 m tall in 2024 (The Tree Register 2025). Material sourced from Kyrgyzstan is represented at Rogów Arboretum, Poland, from seed collected in 2016. Plants grown from Kyrgyzstan-sourced material is also at Von Gimborn Arboretum, the Netherlands. A plant from seed sent from Frunze Botanical Garden, Kyrgyzstan, also grows at The Morton Arboretum, Illinois.

subsp. tataricum

Discussed above under the species.

var. torminaloides Pax

This variety is notable for its leaves recalling Torminalis glaberrima. It is scarcely represented in collections, but a plant fitting its description grows at Rogow Arboretum, Poland (P. Banaszczak pers. comm., 2026).

subsp. theiferum (W.P.Fang) Y.S.Chen & P.C.de Jong

Exhibiting small, unlobed or slightly lobed leaves with pubescent lower surfaces, subsp. theiferum is scarcely represented in collections, though is grown at Rogów Arboretum, Poland, from material that arrived from Nanjing Botanical Garden in 1986 (P. Banaszczak, pers. comm. 2026).

'Ventura'

A vigorous, upright clone with orange and red autumn colour (Hatch 2021–2022). Raised and introduced by Rich Durand of Prairie Shade Nursery (Hatch 2021–2022). It is considered a hybrid between subsp. tataricum and subsp. ginnala.