Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Acer cappadocicum 'Aureum'

Golden Cappadocian Maple

Sapindaceae

Turkey, Caucasus, Central Asia, Himalayas, western China

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height40–60 feet (12–18 m)
Width30–40 feet (9–12 m)
Maturity25 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 8
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Acer cappadocicum 'Aureum' is a deciduous tree reaching 40–60 feet (12–18 m) tall with a spread of 30–40 feet (9–12 m) at maturity, comparable in ultimate size to the species A. cappadocicum. The crown is broadly rounded. Leaves are five- to seven-lobed, 3–5 inches (7.5–13 cm) wide, with pointed, entire-margined lobes and yellow-colored sap in the petiole when cut. Foliage emerges vivid yellow in spring, transitions to yellow-green through summer, then returns to yellow in fall before dropping. In full shade, spring foliage color is reduced to lime-green. Leaf margins may scorch in hot, dry conditions or sustained winds. Small yellow flowers appear in corymbs in April–May. Winged samaras, 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) long, ripen in September. This cultivar produces root suckers more freely than most other maples, spreading outward from the base; suckers require regular removal to prevent their establishment.

Native Range

Acer cappadocicum is native to a broad area from Turkey and the Caucasus east through Central Asia to the Himalayas and western China, growing in montane mixed forests at elevations of 3,300–9,800 feet (1,000–3,000 m). The 'Aureum' cultivar was developed through horticultural selection and does not occur in wild populations.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen or lawn tree at 30–40 foot (9–12 m) spacing. The suckering habit requires annual maintenance near paved surfaces, foundations, and lawn edges. Best sited where root sucker management is practical, in large parks and estate gardens where the root system has adequate space. Not suited to small residential gardens or sites near paving where suckering is unmanageable.

How to Identify

Acer cappadocicum 'Aureum' is distinguished from the species A. cappadocicum by yellow to yellow-green foliage rather than plain green. The five- to seven-lobed leaves, 3–5 inches (7.5–13 cm) wide, have entire margins with no serrations and pointed tips — entire-margined lobes distinguish this species from most other cultivated maples which have toothed leaf margins. Yellow-colored sap in the cut petiole is a diagnostic trait of the species. Root suckers from the base of the tree are more frequent in 'Aureum' than in most other maples.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height40' - 60'
Width/Spread30' - 40'

Reaches mature size in approximately 25 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

yellow
yellow green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
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Spring
Small yellow flowers in upright corymbs of 10–20 flowers appear in April–May as leaves emerge. Flowers are less than 0.3 inch (8 mm) across. Winged samaras develop through summer and ripen to tan-yellow in September, often persisting on the tree into early winter.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow

Foliage Description

vivid yellow in spring, yellow-green in summer, yellow in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

20–30 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5–7.5. Water weekly during the first two growing seasons. Established trees tolerate dry spells of 1–2 weeks but show leaf scorch in prolonged drought or persistent wind exposure. Foliage color is most vivid with 4–6 hours of sun; full shade reduces spring color to lime-green. Root suckers emerge from the root system and can form a thicket around the base within 3–5 years if not removed annually. Leaf scorch occurs on exposed sites in regions with temperatures regularly above 90°F (32°C). No routine fertilization is required in adequate soil.

Pruning

Prune in late spring to early summer (May–June) after leaf-out; sap bleeds from cuts made in late winter or early spring but this does not harm the tree. Remove root suckers at their point of origin as they appear, cutting at or below soil level. Establish the main crown structure by removing crossing or competing leaders in the first 5–10 years. Avoid removing more than 20–25% of the canopy in any single season.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic