Amur Maple

Acer ginnala

Amur Maple is a hardy, compact, multi-stemmed or single-trunked ornamental tree known for its brilliant red-orange fall color, fragrant spring flowers, and adaptability. It is cold-hardy (Zone 2-7), drought-tolerant, and well-suited for prairie climates, making it a great choice for Southwest Saskatchewan. It can be grown as a small tree or large shrub, and it’s often used for hedges, windbreaks, or specimen plantings.

Planting & Location

• Hardiness Zone: 2-7 (extremely cold-hardy)
• Mature Size:
  • Tree Form: 15-20 feet tall, 15-20 feet wide
  • Shrub Form: 10-15 feet tall, 10-15 feet wide
• Growth Rate: Moderate (12-24 inches per year)
• Sunlight Needs: Full sun to partial shade (best fall color in full sun)
• Soil Preference:
  • Adaptable to loamy, sandy, and clay soils.
  • Tolerates slightly acidic to alkaline soils (pH 5.5-8.0).
  • Prefers well-drained soil but tolerates periodic drought.
• Spacing:
  • 15-20 feet apart for individual trees.
  • 3-5 feet apart for a hedge or windbreak.

Watering

• Young Trees (First 2-3 Years): Water deeply once per week to establish roots.
• Established Trees: Drought-tolerant; water every 2-3 weeks in dry periods.
• Avoid Overwatering: Prefers moderate soil moisture but does not tolerate standing water.

Fertilizing

• First Year: No fertilizer needed—focus on root development.
• Mature Trees:
  • Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) in early spring if growth is slow.
  • Organic alternative: Compost or well-rotted manure in spring.

Pruning & Maintenance

• Best Time to Prune: Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts.
• How to Prune:
  • Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches.
  • Maintain a strong central leader if grown as a tree.
  • For hedge pruning, shear lightly in early summer to maintain shape.
• Suckering: May produce root suckers—remove them to maintain tree form.

Pest & Disease Management

Common Pests:

• Aphids – Can cause curled leaves and sticky honeydew.
  • Solution: Spray with insecticidal soap or introduce ladybugs.
• Scale Insects – May appear on branches, causing leaf yellowing.
  • Solution: Treat with horticultural oil in early spring.

Common Diseases:

• Verticillium Wilt – A soil-borne fungus that causes branch dieback.
  • Solution: Improve soil drainage and avoid overwatering.
• Tar Spot (Rhytisma acerinum) – Causes black spots on leaves in late summer.
  • Solution: Rake and remove infected leaves in fall to prevent spread.
• Powdery Mildew – White fungal coating on leaves in humid conditions.
  • Solution: Improve airflow and apply fungicide if needed.

Winter Protection

• Highly winter-hardy, but young trees may benefit from mulching around the base.
• Sunscald Prevention: Wrap trunks of young trees in late fall to prevent winter sun damage.
• Rodents & Deer: Use tree guards if browsing is an issue.

Landscape Uses

Great as a small ornamental tree or large shrub
Excellent hedge or privacy screen (fast-growing and dense)
Brilliant fall color (red-orange leaves)
Low-maintenance and drought-tolerant
Cold-hardy and adaptable to various soil types

Additional Notes:

• Lifespan: 40-60+ years with proper care.
• Works well as a specimen tree, windbreak, or hedge.
• Amur Maple can self-seed in some areas—regular pruning helps manage spread.

Photo courtesy of Millcreek Nursery