Common Name:

General Information

Acer oblongum is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 20 metres tall.
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - central and southern China, southern Japan, Pakistan, northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar

Habitat

Found in lime-free soils in forests; at elevations from 1,000 - 3,000 metres[, ]. Lower Himalayan foothills from 600 to 2,000 metres elevation in moist forests, especially along streams[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	9.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Acer oblongum is found in the warm temperate zone to the subtropics, usually at elevations above 600 metres. It succeeds in areas of the temperate zone that experience mild winters with few, short-lived frosts - forms from the northern part of its range in China are usually more tolerant of colder winters[1.166].
Of easy cultivation, it prefers a good moist well-drained soil[] in a sunny position but tolerates some shade[, ]. 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. This species is found on acid soils in the wild[].
Most maples are bad companion plants, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants[, ].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

We have two reports that the leaves of maple species, when laid in layers between crops such as apples, carrots and potatoes, have a preservative effect[, ]. The reports do not name any specific species[].

The wood is close grained, moderately hard. It is used for agricultural implements, minor construction, cups etc[, , , ].

Propagation

Seed - 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[, ]. 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 early summer . 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.
If seed is unavailable, the plant can be grafted onto A. buergerianum.