Acer glabrum – Sierra maple (Tahoe)

Acer glabrum – Sierra Maple (Tahoe)

A tough, adaptable California-native maple from the Sierra Nevada foothills and mountains, this Tahoe-provenance selection is particularly well-suited to cold winters and hot, dry summers. Sierra maple forms a compact multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with attractive three-lobed leaves that flush a fresh lime-green in spring and turn yellow to orange in fall. Less demanding of summer water than vine maple, it thrives in drier woodland conditions and makes an excellent habitat plant for montane gardens and higher-elevation Northern California landscapes.

Key Features:

• Deciduous shrub or small tree; California native from the Sierra Nevada
• Exceptional cold hardiness and summer drought tolerance
• Tahoe provenance; locally appropriate seed stock for mountain and foothill gardens
• Yellow to orange fall color and attractive three-lobed leaves
• Flexible multi-stemmed form for woodland and habitat gardens
• Seeds attract birds and small mammals

Growing Details:
Height: 10–20 ft | Spread: 8–15 ft
Exposure: Full sun to part shade | Water: Low to moderate
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4–9