This species is closely related to Acer mono[].

Common Name:

General Information

Acer truncatum is a deciduous tree with a densely branched, rounded crown; it can grow 5 - 10 metres tall[, ].
The plant is sometimes harvested from th wild for local use as a food. It is an excellent small landscape tree or street tree, and can be grown in small gardens[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Russian Federation (Amur), eastern and central China, Korea.

Habitat

An understorey plant in deciduous oak forests at elevations of 400 - 1,000 metres in China[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	8.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Acer truncatum is a moderately cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -20°c when dormant
Of easy cultivation, it prefers a good moist well-drained somewhat acidic soil[, ] and a sunny position, though it 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. Established plants are said to be fairly drought tolerant[].
Plants produce prodigious root growth but little top growth in first year from seed[].
Most maples are bad companion plants, their surface rooting habit inhibiting the growth of nearby plants[, ].

Edible Uses

Seed - roasted[, ]. Rather small and fiddly to utilize[].

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[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, it usually germinates in the following spring. The seed of this species has hypogeal germination, that is the true seed leaves remain below the soil and the first leaves to appear above soil level are true leaves. 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.