Acer tataricum ssp. ginnala 'Ginnala', Amur maple
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Acer tataricum ssp. ginnala 'Ginnala'

Amur maple

Sapindaceae

Northeastern Asia: China, Mongolia, Siberia, Korea, Japan

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height15-20 feet (4.5-6 m)
Width15-20 feet (4.5-6 m)
Maturity8 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

2 - 8
Zone 2
Zone 3
Zone 4
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
Drought Tolerant
Fragrant (light)
Container Friendly
Maintenancelow

Overview

Acer tataricum ssp. ginnala is a small deciduous tree or large multi-stemmed shrub reaching 15–20 feet (4.5–6 m) tall and wide, with a rounded to broadly spreading crown. Leaves have 3 lobes with the central lobe distinctly longer than the lateral lobes and finely serrated margins, 1.5–4 inches (4–10 cm) long, dark green above and paler beneath. In fall, foliage turns yellow, orange, and brilliant red — the most reliable and vivid fall color of any small landscape maple. In late May, fragrant white to yellowish-white flowers in upright clusters 1.5–3 inches (4–8 cm) long appear after leaf-out. Paired samaras 0.75–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) long with wings nearly parallel turn bright red in late summer before maturing to tan in fall, providing an extended ornamental display. Bark is smooth and gray-brown, developing shallow furrows with age. Growth rate is moderate, 1–2 feet (30–60 cm) per year. The species is exceptionally cold-hardy, performing reliably in zones 2–7. It tolerates drought, urban pollution, and road salt better than most ornamental maples. In parts of the northeastern United States, it self-seeds and has naturalized in disturbed areas; it is considered potentially invasive in some regions.

Native Range

Native to northeastern Asia, including northern and central China, eastern Mongolia, southeastern Siberia, Korea, and Japan. Found in mixed deciduous forests, forest margins, thickets, and river valleys.

Suggested Uses

Acer tataricum ssp. ginnala is planted as a small specimen tree or large shrub in residential landscapes, mixed borders, and urban settings where space limits larger maples. Effective massed as a screen or informal hedge. Its extreme cold hardiness makes it valuable in zones 2–4 where ornamental maple options are limited. Avoid planting near natural areas in regions where it has been noted as potentially invasive.

How to Identify

Acer tataricum ssp. ginnala is identified by small 3-lobed leaves with the central lobe markedly longer than the two lateral lobes and finely serrated margins — unlike the 5-lobed leaves of most other landscape maples. Paired samaras turn bright red in late summer before ripening to tan, a conspicuous identification feature. Fragrant whitish flowers appear in upright clusters after leaf-out in late May. The overall plant is small and shrubby compared to most landscape maples.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height15' - 20'
Width/Spread15' - 20'

Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white
yellow

Foliage Colors

dark green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow
orange
red

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Blooms late May, with fragrant white to yellowish-white flower clusters 1.5–3 inches (4–8 cm) long appearing after leaves have expanded. Individual flowers are 0.1–0.2 inch (3–5 mm); the display lasts 2–3 weeks. The fragrance is noticeable at close range. Paired samaras turn bright red July through August, then tan by September through October.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to yellowish-white

Foliage Description

dark green in summer; yellow, orange, and red in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-8 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 Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysandsilt
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-10 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Acer tataricum ssp. ginnala is watered weekly for the first 1–2 growing seasons; once established, the plant tolerates moderate drought, urban soils, air pollution, and road salt — conditions that damage most other ornamental maples. Apply 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) of mulch from the drip line inward, keeping 4 inches (10 cm) clear of the trunk. No regular fertilizing is needed on average soils. Can be grown as a single-trunk small tree with lower limb removal, or as a multi-stemmed large shrub with no trunk training. In the Pacific Northwest, it performs reliably in all but the warmest zones. In zones 8 and warmer, summer heat may reduce fall color intensity. Monitor adjacent naturalized areas for seedling escape.

Pruning

Prune during dormancy (November through February) to minimize sap loss. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. To train as a single-trunk tree, select the strongest upright stem and remove competing stems at ground level over 2–3 years. To maintain as a multi-stemmed shrub, remove oldest stems at ground level every 5–7 years to encourage vigorous renewal growth. Avoid heavy pruning in spring during active sap flow.

Pruning Schedule

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winter

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 25 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic