Paperbark Maple                A-ser GRIS-e-um

• Deciduous tree, 20-30 ft (6-9 m), upright, oval, very attractive copper-red bark, exfoliates, paper-like.  Leaves opposite, compound (trifoliate i.e., 3 leaflets), 7-13 cm long, middle leaflet short stalked and coarsely toothed, lateral leaflets nearly without a stalk and not as toothed, blue-green above, pale green to whitish below; petiole pubescent.  Fall color may range from green, red-brown, to a striking red.   Fruit (samara) 2.5-4 cm long, wings diverge at a 60-90^o angle.
• Sun to part shade.  Adaptable to varied soils, prefers well-drained and moist soils, but performs well in clay soils; pH adaptable.  Can even be used in bonsai.
• Hardy to USDA Zone 4    Native to Central China.
• griseum: gray, referring to the underside of leaves.
• Oregon State Univ. campus: north of Cordley, next to Acer circinatum.