Mountain Maple
Acer spicatum
- Native to:
- Canada, Labrador, Prince Edward I., United States
Steve Hurst @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Genus:
- Acer
- Species:
- Acer spicatum
- USDA Symbol:
- ACSP2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 800 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, green
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
American Dagger Moth (Acronicta americana), Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), chalybeana leafroller moth (Acleris chalybeana), False Crocus Geometer (Xanthotype urticaria), fruit-tree leafroller (Archips argyrospila), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Io moth (Automeris io), Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda), Saddled Prominent (Heterocampa guttivitta), Sparganothis acerivorana, woodland leafroller (Pandemis lamprosana), Zale galbanata
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Maple leaf blotch miner (Cameraria aceriella), maple trumpet skeletonizer (Catastega aceriella)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, browsers
- Fall Color:
- red, orange, yellow
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers cool, shaded environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds should be sown fresh or stored cold-moist. Germination may be erratic and can extend over multiple seasons.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Expose to fluctuating outdoor winter temps incl. freezing for 3 months. Increase light/temp in spring. Requires soaking 24-48 hrs; discard floaters.