Maritime Arboretum Seed Mountain Maple

Acer spicatum

Mountain Maple is a hardy, native North American small tree or shrub valued for its attractive three-lobed foliage, upright flower clusters, and brilliant red to orange autumn colour. It is naturally found in woodland understories and is an excellent choice for shaded, naturalized, and wildlife gardens.

Approximate Maximum Height: 10 m
Zone(s): Zone 2-8
About the Seeds: Not De-Winged

Lighting: Partial shade to full shade. Mountain Maple is highly shade-tolerant and naturally grows beneath forest canopies, although it can also grow well in sunny locations when adequate moisture is available.

Germination: Mountain Maple seeds benefit from scarification followed by cold, moist stratification. A cold stratification period of approximately 3–4 months at about 1-5°C (34-41°F) is recommended. After stratification, sow the seeds in a moist, well-drained growing medium. Germination may be slow and irregular.

Watering: Keep the growing medium consistently moist but not waterlogged during stratification and germination. Once seedlings emerge, maintain even moisture and do not allow young plants to dry out, particularly during their first growing season. Mountain Maple naturally prefers moist, well-drained soils.

Photo Courtesy of Maritime Arboretum Ltd.