Mountain Maple vs Douglas Maple - TreeTime.ca

Mountain Maple vs Douglas Maple

Acer spicatum

Acer glabrum

CUSTOM GROW

CUSTOM GROW

no image
Douglas Maple

Used to growing in the shadows of the damp forest, White Maple (aka Mountain Maple) is a great fit for shady and wet areas, such as beneath larger trees. Unlike most of its cousins, the White Maple is a shrub instead of a tree. It's still a maple, however, with sap that can be made into Maple syrup to prove it!

In May and June, the classic shapes of Maple leaves are joined by clusters of green and yellow flowers. Soon after, red samaras (aka helicopter seeds or whirligigs) appear. This distinctive appearance makes White Maple an excellent choice for giving urban yards a unique (and patriotic) look.

Douglas Maple is a fast growing, long lived, ornamental tree. It can take on a shrubby or multi-stemmed form with densely packed leaves, making it an excellent tree for privacy screens and hedges.

In the fall, the leaves make a brilliant change to red, orange, or yellow depending on the tree and its sun exposure. Douglas Maple's compact size makes it ideal for planting in urban yards and under power lines.

Mountain Maple Quick Facts

Douglas Maple Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 15 m (50 ft)
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 15 m (50 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: long
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Fall colour: purple to bright red to yellow
Fall colour: dull red
Bark: thin reddish or greyish
Flowers: yellow and green
Seeds: winged samaras
Seeds: winged samara
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: white maple
Other Names: box maple, dwarf maple, new mexico maple, rock maple, rocky mountain maple, sierra maple