Amur Maple vs Silver Buffalo Berry - TreeTime.ca

Amur Maple vs Silver Buffalo Berry

Acer ginnala

Shepherdia argentea

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Amur Maple
Silver Buffalo Berry

Amur Maple is an incredibly colorful tree. As summer turns to fall, it's bright green leaves turn fiery red. This tree is perfectly suited for urban environments. It's small size allows you to plant it in city yards and beneath power lines. Amur maple can also tolerate urban pollution, moist to dry conditions and is not affected by soil type or pH.

Silver Buffalo Berry is a cold hardy, ornamental shrub that is commonly used in the first row of shelterbelts instead of caragana or lilac. It features subtle yellow flowers, smooth grey bark, and red fruit. On occasion orange fruit is produced and rarely a yellow fruit. Please note: we regularly collect the rare yellow and orange fruit to use for our seed source.

Long-lived and slow growing, Silver Buffalo Berry is commonly found around sloughs, in coulees, and on light soils across the prairies, and grows best in full sun.

Buyers can enjoy increased bird life to their property, as this shrub acts as a habitat plant. It is also commonly planted for its ornamental and winter interest. It is native to parts of central and western North America.

This species is also known as one of the more salt-tolerant species for those with saline soils.

Note: this berry has mixed reviews when fresh, but makes a desirable jam or jelly with what is described as a clove and pear taste.

Amur Maple Quick Facts

Silver Buffalo Berry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Height: 5 m (18 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: high


Foliage: glossy
Foliage: green, slender, silvery
Fall colour: scarlet red
Flowers: white
Berries: deep red, edible
Seeds: red tinged samaras
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no

In row spacing: 2.4 m (8 ft)

In row spacing: 0.9 - 1.2 m (3 - 4 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: AB, SK, MB
Other Names: ginnala maple
Other Names: buffalo shepherdia, silver buffaloberry, thorny buffaloberry