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Acer circinatum
This beautiful plant can be found throughout the Pacific Northwest in both natural and urban areas. The plant occasionally forms into short trees but is more common as a shrub, rarely exceeding 26 feet (8 m) in height. As such, it is usually part of the forest understory when found in the wild.
In urban areas, the vine maple is a very popular ornamental tree because of its heartiness, ability to flourish in partial shade, and physical beauty. In the fall, its leaves will turn brilliant shades of red, yellow and orange as they prepare to drop. When new leaves begin to grow during the spring, they are bright red and have a hairy texture. Mature leaves grow on spreading limbs which twist as they expand and are yellow-green on top and pale green underneath. The bark is just as eye-catching, starting out as greenish-brown and darkening to a deep red-brown as the plant ages. Like the limbs, the trunk of the Vine Maple will twist as it ages.
Distribution
The tree is the only member of the Palmatum group of maple trees to be found outside of Asia and it only exists in the Pacific Northwest. Most specimens are found within 190 miles (300 km) of the Pacific Ocean or in the Columbia River Gorge. It is often located beneath taller species like the Douglas-fir, mountain hemlock and Pacific dogwood. It thrives in both dappled shade and near water, so is a common riparian species.
Conservation Status
Common.
Acer circinatum
This beautiful plant can be found throughout the Pacific Northwest in both natural and urban areas. The plant occasionally forms into short trees but is more common as a shrub, rarely exceeding 26 feet (8 m) in height. As such, it is usually part of the forest understory when found in the wild.
In urban areas, the vine maple is a very popular ornamental tree because of its heartiness, ability to flourish in partial shade, and physical beauty. In the fall, its leaves will turn brilliant shades of red, yellow and orange as they prepare to drop. When new leaves begin to grow during the spring, they are bright red and have a hairy texture. Mature leaves grow on spreading limbs which twist as they expand and are yellow-green on top and pale green underneath. The bark is just as eye-catching, starting out as greenish-brown and darkening to a deep red-brown as the plant ages. Like the limbs, the trunk of the Vine Maple will twist as it ages.
Distribution
The tree is the only member of the Palmatum group of maple trees to be found outside of Asia and it only exists in the Pacific Northwest. Most specimens are found within 190 miles (300 km) of the Pacific Ocean or in the Columbia River Gorge. It is often located beneath taller species like the Douglas-fir, mountain hemlock and Pacific dogwood. It thrives in both dappled shade and near water, so is a common riparian species.
Conservation Status
Common.