Paperbark Maple
Acer griseum
Gardener's Log
06/2019: Planted next to creek. One of two trees planted to replace the pine trees we removed.
01/2021: Moved about 4 feet up and mounded to get it out of a water pit that formed during the great gullywasher rain of Jan 2021.
UPDATE 2021: I’m hoping this tree survives after being ripped out of the ground in January then subjected to the heat dome this same summer. It never leafed out well and was then burned by the heat. Looking forward to seeing how it does in spring of 2022
It took me a while to decide what tree(s) we should buy to replace the two spindly pine trees we had removed. Having lots of shade from our existing trees didn’t make it easy since most trees love sun – AND any deciduous trees must have at least a 2″ caliper according to the city rules. Sheesh. I decided to search for a Paperbark Maple, which sports a lovely chestnut colored peeling bark and bright green leaves. This tree also graces the Great Plant Picks list of ‘Trees for Shade’ so I figured it would be a good choice. I was lucky to find one with a (barely) thick enough trunk locally at Sky Nursery. The winning specimen wasn’t the most attractive shape, and I probably would have picked a taller, skinnier one if I could, but now that it’s in the ground I actually love it.