Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Acer cissifolium

Ivy-leaved Maple

SapindaceaeJapan (Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu)

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height20–30 feet (6–9 m)
Width20–30 feet (6–9 m)
Maturity18 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
Maintenancelow

Overview

Acer cissifolium is a deciduous tree reaching 20–30 feet (6–9 m) tall with a spread of 20–30 feet (6–9 m), forming a rounded to broadly spreading crown. It is unusual among maples in having trifoliate leaves — each leaf consists of three separate leaflets, 1.5–3 inches (4–7.5 cm) long, with serrated margins, resembling the foliage of ivy (Hedera) more than a typical maple. Leaflets are medium green above, paler below. Fall color is orange to red to red-purple, appearing in October and lasting 2–3 weeks. Small yellow-green flowers appear in slender pendant racemes in April–May before or with the leaves. Paired samaras, 0.75–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) long, ripen in September–October. The species tolerates partial shade better than most maples, making it suitable for understory positions. It is dioecious — male and female flowers occur on separate trees — so fruit set requires both sexes in proximity.

Native Range

Acer cissifolium is native to Japan, occurring on Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu in montane mixed forests at low to middle elevations. It grows in moist forest soils, often along stream banks and in partially shaded positions within mixed broadleaf-conifer forests.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen, patio tree, or understory tree in woodland gardens and shaded borders at 20–25 foot (6–7.5 m) spacing. The tolerance of partial shade makes it suitable for positions under taller trees or on the north side of structures where most maples perform poorly. Not suited to heavy shade, sites with poor drainage, or alkaline soils.

How to Identify

Acer cissifolium is identified by its trifoliate leaves — three separate leaflets rather than the lobed single leaf of most maples — a feature shared among cultivated maples only with A. negundo and A. griseum. Distinguished from A. negundo by the smaller, more uniform leaflets and the lack of waxy-white bloom on young stems. Distinguished from A. griseum by the absence of peeling papery bark. The paired winged samaras confirm maple identity. The dioecious habit means only female trees produce fruit.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height20' - 30'
Width/Spread20' - 30'

Reaches mature size in approximately 18 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow green

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

orange
red
red purple

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
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Spring
Small yellow-green flowers appear in slender pendant racemes, 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) long, in April–May before or with the emerging leaves. Male and female flowers occur on separate trees; fruit set requires a male tree in proximity. Samaras develop through summer, ripening to tan-brown in September–October.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow-green

Foliage Description

medium green; orange to red-purple in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 3-8 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 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15–20 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5–7.0 in full sun to partial shade. Water weekly during the first two growing seasons. Established trees tolerate dry spells of 1–2 weeks but perform best with consistent moisture. Tolerates shade better than most cultivated maples — partial shade (3–5 hours of direct sun) produces adequate growth and good fall color. The dioecious habit means fruit production requires a male tree within pollination distance; single-tree planting will not produce samaras. Verticillium wilt can affect this species; remove affected branches promptly. No routine fertilization is required in adequate soils.

Pruning

Prune in late spring to early summer (May–June) after leaf-out to minimize sap bleeding. Remove dead, crossing, or rubbing branches. The naturally rounded crown requires minimal structural pruning. Avoid removing the central leader in young trees; a dominant leader establishes a cleaner crown. Remove basal suckers to their point of origin.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic
Acer cissifolium (Ivy-leaved Maple) - Identification & Care Guide | PlantRef