Five small tough maple trees for your garden

Once upon a time when lots were big, we could plant large growing shade trees.  As house lots have gotten smaller, big trees just don’t fit into the landscape very well. Smaller trees that are attractive and tough are what many people are looking for. With that in mind, here are five different types of small maples that are suitable for yards and as street trees where power lines preclude using large trees.

Tridant maple, Acer buergeranum

Photo credit:  Pat Breen Oregon State University

This tree gets about 20 ft tall and wide and is adaptable to urban environments. As an added feature it has red and orange fall color

Hedge maple, Acer campestre

Photo credit:  Pat Breen Oregon State University

Hedge maple gets about 30 ft tall and wide, has a medium growth rate and is long lived. It has a reputation for being tough and for tolerating urban conditions. As it ages, it develops corky bark. Leaves turn yellow in fall. Cultivars include Carnival, Metro Gold, and Queen Elizabeth.

Flame maple, Acer ginnala 'Flame'

Photo credit:  Pat Breen Oregon State University

Another small maple rarely getting larger than 20 ft. tall and wide, this is one of the hardiest trees available. Specimens are very interesting in form because of their spreading branch pattern. Flame is a seed source selection, chosen for improved form and consistent brilliant orange-red-deep red fall color. 

Paperbark maple, Acer griseum 

Photo credit:  Pat Breen Oregon State University

A tree of rare beauty, this trifoliate maple's compound leaves give it a delicate texture in summer, then long lasting red fall color. Exfoliating orange-brown to cinnamon-brown bark creates year round interest. It rarely gets more than 25 ft tall and 20 ft wide. This is a true specimen tree.

Japanese maple, Acer palmatum 

Photo credit:  Pat Breen Oregon State University

The seedling Japanese maple is tougher than nearly all named varieties. It has fine textured foliage and a light airy appearance. It is generally faster growing and adapts to more difficult environments than the hundreds of cultivars which are derived from it. Fall color ranges from yellow to orange to orange-red. Size is variable but rarely gets larger than 20 feet tall and wide.

Written By Tom Cook, City Beautification and Urban Forestry (CBUF)