Acer, Genus, rufinerve, Species,
- Genus & species
Redvein maple
Overview
Acer rufinerve is a deciduous small tree or large shrub reaching 20–30 feet (6–9 m) tall with a spread of 15–25 feet (4.5–7.6 m), often multi-stemmed. The crown is open and upright-spreading. Young stems and branches are green with narrow white-gray vertical stripes, and the bark turns gray-brown on older trunks. Leaves are shallowly three-lobed, occasionally five-lobed, 3–5 inches (7.5–13 cm) long and nearly as wide, with doubly toothed margins and rust-colored hairs along the veins on young leaf undersides. Foliage is dark green in summer and turns orange, yellow, and red in October–November. Yellow-green flowers open in drooping racemes in May. Winged fruits (samaras) 0.8–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) long, with nearly horizontal wings, ripen in September–October. Growth rate is moderate. Leaves scorch in hot, windy, or dry sites, and late spring frost damages new growth in exposed locations. The striped bark pattern fades as stems age and turn gray-brown. The species is hardy in USDA zones 5–8.
Native Range
Native to Japan, in cool-temperate mountain forests on Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Grows as an understory tree in moist deciduous woodland.Suggested Uses
Grown as a specimen or in woodland gardens, spaced 15–20 feet (4.5–6 m) from other trees. Planted where the striped bark is visible in winter and, while young, in large containers. Grown for fall color in zones 5–8.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height20' - 30'
Width/Spread15' - 25'
Bloom Information
Flowers open in May in zones 5–8, at the time of leaf expansion. Flowers are yellow-green, 0.2–0.3 inch (5–8 mm) across, and held in drooping racemes. Total bloom period lasts about 2 weeks. Late frost can damage flower racemes and young leaves.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Dark green in summer, orange, yellow, and red in fallGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-6 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5–7.0) in part shade; full sun is tolerated in cool climates with consistent moisture. Newly planted trees need 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water weekly through the first 2–3 growing seasons. A 2–3 inch (5–8 cm) layer of mulch moderates soil temperature and moisture around shallow roots. Leaf scorch develops in hot, dry, and windy exposures, and drought stress causes early leaf drop. Verticillium wilt, anthracnose, and aphids occur occasionally.Pruning
Needs little pruning beyond removal of dead, crossing, and damaged branches. Pruning in late summer or midwinter avoids the heavy sap bleeding that follows late winter and early spring cuts. Removing the oldest stems at ground level in winter promotes new green-striped shoots on multi-stemmed plants.Pruning Schedule
Prune: January & August
summerwinter
Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
