Outstanding Features:
Excellent small tree with glossy green foliage. Very tolerant of drought and cold winters.

Description:
Height: 25-30'
Width: 25-30'
Hardiness Zone: 3b

The Shantung Maple is an outstanding small tree. It has glossy, dark green star shaped foliage that remains in good condition throughout the season. It develops good fall color ranging from clear yellow from some sources and reddish purple from other sources. Its quality and adaptability make it worth growing. It is an excellent tree for small lawns and street tree use.

Requirements and Culture:
It does well in full sun and in general seems to be quite adaptable. It is native in the equivalent of U.S.D.A. Zone 3 in northern China but has a very large native range. Seed source is an important factor in an individual plant's hardiness level.

Limitations:
No serious limitations are presently known. Not tolerant to poorly drained soils. Unfortunately the tree is little known and is not readily available from nursery sources. Susceptible to 2,4-D drift.

Selected Cultivars:

'Pacific Sunset' and 'Norwegian Sunset' are natural hybrids between Shantung Maple and Norway Maple. Tree size is intermediate between that of the two parental species (30-50 ft.)

Photo Credit: 1, 2, & 3 MLA.

Minnesota Power | University of Minnesota | Northern States Power Company

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