Gary W. Graham, Ohio State University Extension, Northeast District; James A. Chatfield, Ohio State University Extension, Northeast District and Department of Horticulture and Crop Science; Kenneth D. Cochran, Secrest Arboretum of The Ohio State University Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, Ohio.
Acer pseudosieboldianum. Korean maple.
This small Asian maple native to Korea and Manchuria (up to 25 feet at maturity, wider than tall when small) is quite graceful, starting with bluish-green spring foliage with a soft appearance and touch due to tiny hairs which become less prominent as the season progresses. Small two-inch leaves have nine or more lobes, which taper to sharp points and have serration on the upper portion of the lobes.
Fall color is an outstanding ornamental feature with an ever more spectacular mix of bright yellows, oranges, and reds as the season progresses. Korean maple is one of the best small maples for overall structure and is hardier than many Japanese maples (A.palmatum).
At Secrest, A. pseudosieboldianum can be found near the Azalea Allee in the mixed planting and in the maple collection across from the Deciduous Tree Evaluation plot.