Acer rufinerve

Acer rufinerve (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Late spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 12m

Eventual Spread: 9m

Hardiness: 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Sapindaceae

Acer rufinerve Leaf (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Acer rufinerve is a deciduous tree with a rounded habit. Its dark green leaves are broadly ovate with serrulate margins, three lobed, up to 16cm long and 16cm broad. Its leaves turn orange to red in autumn before they fall. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of 40cm. Its light grey and olive green striped bark is smooth. Its yellow flowers are small, produced in racemes and up to 10cm long. Its green fruit is a samara which is up to 3cm long.

Acer rufinerve Bark (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Acer rufinerve, commonly known as the Redvein Maple, Snake Bark Maple or Grey Snake Bark Maple, is native to Japan. In its native habitat it grows in mountain forests. There is currently discussion that this tree may be invasive in parts of Northern Europe.

The etymology of the binomial name Acer is derived from the classical Latin name for the Maple. Rufinerve is derived from the Latin rufus menaing ‘red’ and nervus meaning ‘veined’.

Acer rufinerve Fruit (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Acer rufinerve useful as a small tree with attractive bark and autumn leaf colour.

Ecologically, Acer rufinerve flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Acer rufinerve prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Acer rufinerve requires little maintenance. Pruning should be carried out during the dormant months.



Landscape Architecture

Acer capillipes

Acer capillipes (12/11/2011, Kew, London)

Position: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Flowering period: Late Spring

Soil: Moist, well-drained

Eventual Height: 12m

Eventual Spread: 8m

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family:Sapindaceae

Acer capillipes Autumn Leaf (16/11/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Acer capillipes is a small deciduous tree with a spreading crown and arching branches. Its mid green leaves  are up to 15cm long and 12cm broad, with three or five lobes. These basal lobes are quiet small and have a serrated margin, conspicuous veining and a reddish petiole. Its leaves become red/ yellow in autumn before they fall. The bark of the tree is smooth, olive green with regular narrow vertical white stripes and small horizontal brownish lenticels, it retains this pattern even on very old trees. The trunk of this tree may achieve a diameter of 70cm although more usually they are smaller with multiple stems and slender branches. The flowers are small, greenish yellow and are produced on drooping racemes. These racemes are initially first then they become pendulous. The fruit, a samara nutlet, is 5 millimeters long with a 2 centimeter long wing.

Acer capillipes seed (12/11/2011, Kew, London)

Acer capillipes, commonly known as the Snake Bark Maple, Red Snake Bark Maple or Kyushu Maple, is native to the mountainous regions in Japan on central and southern Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku Islands, usually growing alongside mountain streams.Acer capillipes was introduced into the Arnold Arboretum in 1892 as a many stemmed tree like shrub.

The etymology of the binomial name Acer is derived from the classical Latin name for the Maple. Capillipes is derived from the Latin  capillus for thread or hair, this refers to the fine branches of this tree.

The landscape architect may find Acer capillipes useful as a small ornamental specimen tree in a parkland scheme or domestic garden. It has an architectural habit, interesting bark and attractive red autumn foliage.

Acer capillipes bark (12/11/2011, Kew, London)

<Acer capillipes has been awarded the prestigious Royal Horticultural Societies annual Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Acer capillipes prefers fertile, moist but well-drained, neutral to acidic soils.

Acer capillipes requires little maintenance.