Paperbark Maple – Acer griseum

Paperbark Maple-Acer griseum, the Paperbark Maple or Blood-bark Maple, is a species of flowering plant in the family Sapindaceae, native to central China. It is small, deciduous tree with a neat compact shape, Trees typically grow to 20 to 30 feet in height with a spread equal to height. The trunk is short and the canopy oval or rounded. Unlike many Maples, Paperbark Maple is an excellent choice for small yards, where it can work well as a specimen near a deck or patio. It can also be planted as a lower- level tree before a towering canopy of taller trees. Due to their slow growth, Paperbark Maples are popular among bonsai enthusiasts. Aboriginal people used paperbark as bedding because it is soft and can keep you dry. Women would use the coolamons, which is an Aboriginal word for bowl, to put their babies in. Softer pieces of paperbark were soaked in water and wrapped around food, such as fish, emu or kangaroo and placed on the fire to cook. Plant Paperbark Maples in full sun to part shade and in moist, well-drained soil. They do not tolerate drought, so keep them watered and mulched. These trees experience few if any problems with insects and disease.