Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala
Common name: 
Amur Maple
Pronunciation: 
A-ser ta-TAR-i-kum jin-NA-la
Family: 
Sapindaceae, Aceraceae
Genus: 
Acer
Synonyms: 
Acer ginnala
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Deciduous tree/shrub, 10-20 ft (3-6 m) high, multistemmed, rounded but variable, open.  Leaves opposite, simple, 2.5-7.5 cm long, 3-lobed, relatively long central lobe. Flowers yellowish-white, in small clusters (panicle), fragrant.  Fruit (samaras) 2-2.5 cm long, red to brown, hang on late into fall, wings nearly parallel.
  • Sun to part shade, very adaptable, very hardy (popular in east and midwest), performs best in well-drained soil.  Relatively free of disease and pest problems.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 2         Native to Central and northern China, Manchuria, and Japan.   Its winter hardiness was a factor in its use in rural shelter belts in the northern plain states and Canadian prairies.
  • Taxonomy:  The World Flora Online (WFO) now considers this tree to be a subspecies of Acer tataricum (Tatarian Maple), hence, Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala.  Leaves of adult trees of this species are unlobed, whereas leaves of young trees or vigorous shoots may be 3- to 5-lobed, resembling those of Acer ginnala.  
  • Caution:  Amur maple has invasive traits that enable it to spread aggressively. This tree is under observation and may be listed on official invasive species lists in the near future.  [Now listed as invasive in Minnesota.]  Review of risks should be undertaken before selecting this tree for planting sites. (Morton Arboretum)
  • Several cultivars, including:
    • ‘Embers’   -   red fruit and red fall color
    • ‘Flame’   -   fast growing, long arching branches, fall color orange-red to deep red
    • 'Emerald Elf'   -   dwarf form
  • ginnala: the native name, or possibly from the Greek ginnos, a small mule, referring to its size and hardiness.
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