Acer calcaratum (Chinese maple)

Botanical name

Acer calcaratum

Other names

Acer calcaratum, Chinese maple

Genus

Acer Acer

Species

A.calcaratum - A.calcaratum is a small, tender, deciduous tree with bronze-green stems, green when young, bearing glossy, three-lobed, olive to dark green leaves, turning yellow, orange, or red in autumn, and, in spring, clusters of reddish-brown buds opening to white flowers followed by few, reddish-brown fruit.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Upright

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Colour

Flower

White in Spring

Foliage

Dark-green in Summer; Red, Orange, Yellow in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Horse chestnut scale , Caterpillars

Specific diseases

Verticillium wilt , Coral spot , Honey fungus , Tar spot

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 1. Prune in late autumn to midwinter only.

Propagation

Soak seed for 2 days prior to sowing. Sow lightly on a peat-based seed sowing mix at 20C. Germination is erratic - germination occurs in 30-365+ days.

Propagation methods

Seed, Softwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Acer calcaratum (Chinese maple) will reach a height of 7m and a spread of 5m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

Architectural, City, Conservatory, Greenhouse, Indoor, Sub-Tropical

Cultivation

Grows best in sandy loam in a sheltered site in full sun or partial shade.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Acer calcaratum (Chinese maple)

Common pest name

Alfalfa dwarf; Anaheim disease; California vine disease; Dwarf disease of alfalfa; Dwarf disease of lucerne; Leaf scald of oleander; Leaf scald of plum; Leaf scorch; Phony disease of peach; Pierce's disease of grapevine; Variegated chlorosis of citrus

Scientific pest name

Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex

Type

Bacterium

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

A bacterial disease with a wide host range detected in Corsica. Although EU regulated; there remains some concern about the risk of introduction. This subspecies is known to be able to thrive in cooler climates. Should an outbreak occur; there would be a need for eradication action which would result in environmental and social impacts.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Acer calcaratum (Chinese maple)

Common pest name

Apple root knot nematode

Scientific pest name

Meloidogyne mali

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Unknown

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

UK (along with certain other European countries) received potentially infested trees in 1992; but these were destroyed at the end of the trial period and targeted surveillance has failed to find any trace of the nematode. Main impacts are on elm; apple and mulberry and industry should source such material carefully.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Acer calcaratum (Chinese maple)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Hylesia nigricans

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

South American moth which could be damaging to broadleaf species if introduced to the UK; as well as having human health impacts. The main pathway is likely to be goods (including non-plant material) imported from South America and awareness raising with the main industry sectors is recommended.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/