Acer crataegifolium
Hawthorn-Leaved Maple
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Acer genus in the family Aceraceae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves are packed around apples, rootcrops etc to help preserve them[3][5]. A paste made from the bark is used in paper-making[8].
- Product or use
- Paper
- Product or use
- Preservative
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Secondary canopy
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - central and southern Japan.
- Habitat
- Common in temperate deciduous forests, usually growing in open places along mountain paths or at streamsides and in young secondary forests at elevations of 200 - 1100 metres[7].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - this species does not usually hybridise so seed of garden origin is perfectly all right. It is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, it usually germinates in the following spring. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours and then stratify for 2 - 4 months at 1 - 8°c. It can be slow to germinate. The seed can be harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it has dried and produced any germination inhibitors) and sown immediately. It should germinate in late winter. If the seed is harvested too soon it will produce very weak plants or no plants at all[9][2]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until they are 20cm or more tall before planting them out in their permanent positions. Layering, which takes about 12 months, is successful with most species in this genus. Cuttings of young shoots in June or July. The cuttings should have 2 - 3 pairs of leaves, plus one pair of buds at the base. Remove a very thin slice of bark at the base of the cutting, rooting is improved if a rooting hormone is used. The rooted cuttings must show new growth during the summer before being potted up otherwise they are unlikely to survive the winter. Grafting of cultivars can be carried out using the rootstock from any species in the Macrantha section of this genus, which includes the species A. pensylvanicum which is included in the database.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Of easy cultivation, it succeeds in most good soils preferring one that is moist and well-drained[1]. Prefers a sunny position but tolerates some shade[1][6]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Chlorosis can sometimes develop as a result of iron deficiency when the plants are grown in alkaline soils, but in general maples are not fussy as to soil pH. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[4]. Most maples are bad companion plants, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants[3][5]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
References
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Flora of Japan www.foj.info
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6