Common Name:

General Information

Acer sterculiaceum is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 20 metres tall[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use of its wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

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

Habitat

Forests, valleys at elevations between 1,800 - 3,900 metres[, ].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	6.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Acer sterculiaceum is a plant of higher elevations in the warm temperate to subtropical zones. It is unlikely to succeed outdoors in areas with colder winters, tolerating short-lived temperatures fallung to around -8°c[]. Forms from the western Himalayas are likely to be the hardiest.
Of easy cultivation, it prefers a good moist well-drained soil[11[ 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.
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[].

Wood - close grained, moderately hard, beautifully mottled[].
The wood is used mainly for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed is seldom available for this species. when obtained, 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[, ]. 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. This species, however, has brittle branches and so it can be difficult to find suitable branches to layer.
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. Cuttings of this species are almost impossible to root.
Grafting can be quite difficult because there are no suitable rootstocks in this section of the genus. Scions of A. pseudoplatanus can be used and are more or less successful.