Père David’s Maple (Acer davidii) care guide

Grow Père David's Maple in partial shade or gentle morning sun, in moist well-drained soil, and water regularly while it establishes. Protect it from intense afternoon heat, drought, and poorly drained ground.

Père David's Maple is a deciduous tree that loses its leaves in fall. Its striped bark provides ornamental interest during winter.

Acer davidii can reach about 30 to 50 feet tall and 20 to 40 feet wide, although cultivated trees are often smaller and multi-trunked. Allow substantial room for its mature crown.

Père David's Maple is generally suited to USDA Zones 6–7, although some horticultural references report hardiness into Zone 5. Cold tolerance can vary by provenance, cultivar, and exposure.

Acer davidii can tolerate full sun where summers are mild, but partial shade or morning sun is safer in much of the United States. Shield it from strong afternoon heat and drying winds.

Plant Père David's Maple in a sheltered location with partial shade, good air circulation, and moist but well-drained soil. A woodland edge or north- or east-facing position is often suitable.

Acer davidii prefers moist, well-drained loam but can tolerate clay, sand, and near-neutral soil if drainage is adequate. Avoid compacted, waterlogged sites.

Père David's Maple can tolerate clay soil if excess water drains away and the soil is not severely compacted. Improve structure with organic matter over the planting area rather than creating a sharply different pocket in the hole.

Water Père David's Maple deeply when the soil begins to dry, especially during its first two growing seasons. Established trees need less frequent irrigation but may still require supplemental water during prolonged summer drought.

Yellow leaves on Acer davidii may result from drought, root stress, poor drainage, or alkaline soil that limits manganese availability. Check soil moisture and drainage first, and consider a soil test before applying nutrients.

Père David's Maple is not usually considered highly troublesome, but stressed trees can develop common maple pest or disease problems. Correct watering, planting depth, drainage, and air circulation are the best preventive measures.

Acer davidii usually needs little or no fertilizer when grown in reasonably fertile soil. Apply fertilizer only when a soil test or clear nutrient deficiency supports it, because excessive nitrogen can produce weak, overly vigorous growth.

Plant Père David's Maple in fall through early spring while the tree is dormant, provided the ground is workable. Avoid planting during hot, dry weather unless you can maintain consistent irrigation.

Plant Acer davidii so the root flare is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil. Do not bury the trunk flare, and mulch broadly without allowing mulch to touch the trunk.

A young Père David's Maple can be grown temporarily in a large container with drainage, but its eventual size makes permanent container culture difficult. Container roots also need protection from severe winter freezing and rapid drying.

Acer davidii is commonly propagated from seed, using fresh samaras and a period of cold, moist stratification before sowing. Germination and seedling traits can vary, so seedlings may not reproduce a named cultivar exactly.

Père David's Maple may be difficult to root reliably from ordinary cuttings, and seed propagation is the more established method. Specialized nursery techniques may improve cutting success, particularly for selected forms.

Prune Père David's Maple during dormancy or shortly after the main spring growth flush, removing dead, damaged, crossing, or poorly attached branches. Avoid unnecessary heavy pruning because maples can bleed sap when cut at unsuitable times.

No significant toxicity is documented for Père David's Maple, but evidence is limited and plant material should not be eaten. Prevent children and pets from chewing ornamental plants, and contact a poison-control or veterinary professional if a substantial amount is swallowed.

Acer davidii typically flowers in spring, around April, as the leaves unfold. The small yellowish-green flowers are ornamental but less conspicuous than the striped bark and fall foliage.

Père David's Maple produces winged samaras after flowering, with fruit commonly developing toward fall. Seed production may vary because the species is often dioecious, with male and female flowers occurring on separate trees.

Père David's Maple is called a snakebark or stripebark maple because its young branches and trunk often show contrasting green, gray, or white vertical striping. The pattern may become less pronounced as older bark develops.