The Hoyt Arboretum Maple Collection consists of both evergreen and deciduous maples and is most spectacular for viewing in fall.  However, this collection’s value goes deeper than visual delight since it includes several endangered species and will be included in the North American Plant Conservation Consortium’s national maple collection which is a project to conserve all the world’s maple species. 

The following is a list of many of the individual specimens found in the Maple Collection and some of their interesting characteristics

Acer sempervirens Cretan Maple

 ̃    From countries bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, western Turkey, Greece, and Lebanon. 

̃     A broad shrubby tree that is evergreen (unusual for the maple genus). 

̃    The leaves are generally un-lobed or three lobed, tough/leathery.

̃    Typically this tree grows best in warm and dry climates and is well adapted to such climates because of its very small leaves. 

Acer buergeranum Trident Maple

̃     Of Asian origin

̃     A medium sized tree to 50ft with dense branches that droop silightly.  Bark is a grey brown and peels off in flakes which is often considered  attractive to horticulturists/gardeners.

̃     The leaves are three lobed, vary in shape are relatively thick, smooth, and glossy.

̃     This tree is especially adaptable to drought conditions as well as cold conditions.  It is well-suited to shady sites except on the coast where it does better in full sun.  It is known for its marvelous fall color which make it an ideal specimen tree. 

Acer monospessulanum Montpellier Maple

̃    Name Montpellier references Montpellier, France

̃    Originates from Southern and Central Europe and the Mediterranean basin.

̃    This is an elegant and compact tree reaching 20 – 30 ft.  with dense almost impenetrable branching and a rounded crown.

̃    The leaves are three-lobed, touch, glossy, thick, dark green above, lighter green below.  This tree is especially suited to warm climates and is adapted to clay soils and stony soils.  It is not particularly fond of shade, cold, damp, and acidic soild.  It is very disease resistant and hardy in Portland.  Fall color is red-orange, although cultivated trees do not display the full coloring that tree in nature do.  Because of its heat tolerance, it is especially suited to urban conditions and even container cultivation.  It is especially remarkable in flower as they appear before the leaves and have a lemon-yellow appearance from a distance. 

Acer palmatum ‘Ornatum’ Red Laceleaf Japanese Maple

̃    This is a very old cultivar from Europe and has been popular because of the rather distinctive foliage and color tone.  It is a hardy plant that makes a nice contrast in the landscape. 

Acer oliverianum

̃    Named after the English botanist Daniel Oliver (1830-1916)

̃    From central China (Yunnan and Hubei provinces).  Discovered by Augustine Henry and introduced in 1901 by E.H. Wilson for Veitch Nursery.

̃    A small upright tree usually growing to 20-40 ft. 

̃    Leaves are 5-lobed and rather pointy and has remarkable fall color ranging from orange-yellow to brown-red.  In winter it’s greenish bark is a beautiful sight.  The bicolored summer leaves, light green and dark green are also characteristic of this species.

̃    Many think this beautiful and rare maple resembles the Acer japonicum (full moon maple)but has a stiffer more upright habit and glossier leaves.   It makes a good accent plant in the landscape. 

̃    Does best in warm, protected spots.

Acer palmatum ‘Atrolineare’

̃    This cultivar has blackish-red foliage when in it’s prime in the early season.  It may bronze out with greenish undertones later in the season, especially in full sun.  The leaves have 5-7 widely separated very narrow and are divided completely to the base.

Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’

̃    The name of this plant means “Lion’s Head” or “Lion’s Mane” referring to the mythical lion of Japanese drama and was given to this cultivar because of the shape of the bunched-up, heavily curled leaves at the end of the short stout shoots. 

̃    The compact growth of this cultivar makes it very popular for small gardens, container culture, and bonsai.  The outstanding feature is the close-packed arrangement of the leaves on the twigs, and the close arrangement of the twigs.  The bright green foliage is quite crinkled which adds to the stubby growth effect. 

̃   The deep green foliage is of heavy substance and firm to the touch.  Color is maintained very well during summer even in the hot sun.  There is very little sunburn on vigorous plants.  The fall coloration is a striking combination of gold with rose, orange and crimson tones.  The entire plant takes on a different appearance during seasonal change, making it quite prominent

̃   Usually slow-growing this plant can reach 15ft in height over many many years.

Acer japonicum ‘Aconitifolium’

̃   Originally named Acer japonicum ‘Maiku jaku’ which means “dancing peacock”. 

̃   The leaves of this plant are bold, multidivided and deeply cut. 

̃   The name ‘Aconitifolium’ references the genus Aconitum (monkshood) which has very similar leaves. 

̃   The leaves are deep green and have good substance and texture and intense fall coloration.  Brilliant scarlet tones develop, shaded with carmine and sometimes in the purple range.  The total appearance is flame red when viewed from a distance.  The leaves persist on the plant giving it a long fall color period.  The prominent seeds, held in clusters, color a maroon red in the fall and add to the attractiveness. 

Acer campbellii DJHC 0324

~  Collected by Daniel J. Hinkley of Heronswood nursery on his trip to China in 2000.

~ Collected at 3000m altitude on a drive from the Birong Valley back down to Zhongdien.

~The foliage was five lobed with handsome tints of red and yellow.  The seeds were pinkish in color. 

Acer sp. aff. Campbellii  0518         

~ Collected by Daniel J. Hinkley of Heronswood Nursery on his trip to China in 2000.

~ Collected at 2895m altitude on a drive from Huili to Longshoushan. 

Acer circinatum ‘Hoyt Witch’s Broom’

̃   This plant was grown from a cutting from a witches broom (a growth that may occur in trees when many branches with short internodes arise from one point.  They can be caused by insects, viruses, or genetic mutations-then called a sport) from a vine maple growing along Knights blvd.  If it proves to be a garden worthy plant, it may be given an official cultivar name and sold in the trade around the country and possibly the world.

Acer circinatum ‘Monroe’

̃   A large shrub  to 13’ tall and wide.  The branches are thick and curved and the young shoots are green and sticky.  The leaves are deeply divided and somewhat resemble A. ‘Aconitifolium’.  Their color is light green to yellow and in the fall the color intensifies and often turns orange. 

Acer sieboldianum

̃    A tree from Japan (Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu islands, most abundantly on the latter.) 

̃    A small deciduous tree to 25’ tall, shrubby, often multi-trunked, and with a narrow upright crown that broadens with age. 

̃    Leaves are generally 9-lobed and somewhat downy on both sides.  In the summer the down usually only remains on the bottom side of the leaf. 

̃    Overall, a robust and vigorous plant, easy to transplant, hardy, grows in any soil, does not tolerate full sun. 

̃     In autumn, it’s scarlet coloration is superior and earlier than most ‘similar’ maples.

Acer pensylvanium Moosewood

̃    An eastern N.A. maple and is the sole ‘Stripe Barked’ maple native to North America. 

̃    Growing to 40’ tall in nature, slightly less in cultivation

̃    Large 5-lobed leaves

̃    White striated bark (stripe bark)

̃    A plant that prefers shade and moderately moist soil, Acer pensylvanicum struggles a bit at Hoyt Arboretum.  In nature it grows as an understory tree in Eastern American and Canadian Forests.  The leaves of the Moosewood turn yellow in the early fall and drop off rather quickly. 

Acer davidii Father David’s Maple

~  Named after Father Armand David, a French missionary and botanist. 

~  From central and western China.  Introduced from the provinces  of Hubei and Sichuan.

~  The most widely grown of the ‘snake bark’ maples.

~  Its attractive fruits (seed/samaras) are abundant, ornamental.

~  A small tree growing to 30’

~  The bark is very attractive

~  The orange-red leaves are attractive in the spring and fall color is usually very noteworthy. 

Acer miyabei ssp. Maiotenense

~   A chinese form of Acer miyabei is endemic to the provinces of Gansu, Shaanxi, and Zhejiang.  Unfortunately, this tree is not only difficult to propagate but is also currently a threatened species because of the deforestation occurring in it’s native forests. 

~  Overall, a relatively elegant tree reaching 50’ tall with irregularly peeling bark that is also somewhat corky. 

~  Leaves are five lobed and slightly textured above and below.

~   Because it is difficult to propagate A. miyabei is rarely cultivated but is available in the U.S. 

~  Fall color is a clear yellow.

Acer campestre  Hedge Maple 

~  Name comes from Campestris (of the fields or the plains)

~  From continental Europe, England and South Africa. 

~  A medium sized deciduous tree to 50’ tall .

~  Bark is slightly corky in texture.

~  Usually 5-lobed leaves and shape and size often vary.

~  Relatively adaptable to a variety of soils but prefers alkaline soils.

~  Grown for hundreds of years as a trimmed hedge in England or a windbreak in Denmark.

~  In the fall, bright golden foliage makes this tree quite striking.

Acer saccharum Sugar Maple

~  Name refers to the sugary sap that is a source for syrup and sugar

~  Native to North America in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region, Arcadian forest, and southern Ontario). 

~  Leaves are 5-lobed and somewhat famous because they are on the Canadian Flag (designated the country’s national tree in 1965).

~  Known throughout the world as a majestic tree, the sugar maple attracts many tourists to N.A. because of its dramatic fall color and maple syrup.

~  Some sugar maples have lived up to 400 years.

Acer saccharum ‘Newton’s Sentry’

~  A fastigiate tree up to 50ft tall with a narrow silouette.  It has small twigs that keep the foliate close to the branches.  Fall color tends towards yellow as in the species. 

Acer stachyophyllum Wooly Maple

~  Name from stachyophyllus meaning having spiked/pointed leaves

~  From the Himalayas to central China (Hubei, Gansu, Shaanxi provinces), southeastern Tibet, and northern Myanmar, in mountain forests to an altitude of 1000m. 

~  A multistemmed shrub reaching 50’ with an open canopy that broadens at the top.

~  Leaves are unlobed or 3-lobed, pointy, silky above and rugged below. 

~  This large, very strong shrub is considered of insignificant ornamental value (although I completely diagree).  It required no particular soil but is sensitive to frosts and verticillium wilt.

~  Rather rare in cultivation.

~  Fall color is considered insignificant. 

Acer griseum   Paperbark Maple   

~ The name griseum comes from Griseus, or gray, referring to the color of the down on the new leaves.

~ Native to central China

~ Discovered by the renowned plant explorer E.H. Wilson in 1901, this magnificent tree is considered interesting from many points of view and is probably the most prized maple in the Western world. 

~ Known for its unique bark and its orange-red to scarlet autumn foliage.  Slow growing, hardy, easily cultivated

 Acer carpinifolium  Hornbeam Maple    

~  Name from carpinifolium, having carpinus-like leaves

~  From Japan (Honshu and Kyushu islands) in the mountains. 

~  A small tree to 30 ft. tall with a broad rounded crown.

~  A very hardy tree that grows well on all soils and in the shade. 

~ Often mistaken for Carpininus (Hornbeam) but the opposite bud arrangement proves that it belongs to the genus Acer.

~ On feature considered interesting or unusual to the maple genus is that this tree holds its browned leaves throughout the winter, and fall off in spring. 

Acer spicatum   Mountain Maple

~ Name comes from Spicatus, or carrying a spike, referring to the inflorescences that point upward as opposed to hanging down like most maples.

~ Native to Eastern North American Forests

~  A small deciduous tree to 25’ tall with a short trunk forming an irregular crown.

~  This maple is mostly an understory tree but withstands full sun without much trouble as long as it has a good water supply. 

~  The leaves of this tree unfold in the spring and are reddish for a week. 

~  Fall color is somewhat weak, mostly light yellows and red.

Acer heldrichii Greek Maple 

~  Native to the Balkan states and Greece.

~  A large deciduous tree to 80’ tall.

~  This tree is characterized by a tall, straight crown and a smooth, lightly colored trunk. 

~  Often mistaken for Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore Maple). 

~  Does not display spectacular coloring in fall, but is often planted in a solitary location for its elegant habit.