Common Name:

General Information

Acer pectinatum is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 20 metres tall[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for mainly local use of its wood and also for the commercial use of its leaves as a dye.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

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

Habitat

Open moist hillsides; at elevations from 2,700 - 3,800 metres in Nepal[]. Open forests; at elevations from 2,500 - 3,700 metres in western China[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Acer pectinatum grows at higher elevations in the warm temperate to subtropical zone. It succeeds outdoors in temperate areas where the winters are reasonably mild[].
Of easy cultivation, it succeeds in most soils preferring a good moist well-drained soil on the acid side and partial 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. Requires some protection from cold drying winds[].
Grows well with rhododendrons.
Most maples are bad companion plants, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants[, ].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The leaves and petioles contain myricitrin[]. The petioles are used to produce different shades of drown dye with the use of tannins and various metal mordants. The dye is colour-fast and is often used by natural dyers in Arunachal Pradesh[].

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[].

Wood - used in construction[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

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. Only strong-growing cultivars succeed from cuttings, plants of the dissected or variegated cultivars will rarely grow into good plants.