An illustrated description of the seasonal development of vine maple from breaking leaf buds and leaf growth to the appearance of flowers and the growth of fruit.

Wildlife: The seeds and buds provide food for squirrels, chipmunks, and numerous birds. Cattle and sheep eat vine maple leaves. During the summer months the leaves and twigs are a preferred food of black-tailed deer and elk. Agroforestry: Vine maple is used in forested riparian buffers to help reduce stream bank erosion, protect

Use by People: Natives used Vine Maple branches for baskets and fish traps. It was often used for firewood. Use by wildlife: Summer foliage is a preferred food for deer and elk. Seeds, buds and flowers provide food for many birds and rodents. Squirrels and chipmunks will cache the seeds.

Saplings of Acer macrophyllum (big-leaf maple) have leaves 25-30 cm wide, and deep purple buds that are 1.5-2 cm long. Physocarpus capitatus (pacific ninebark) has alternate leaves and reddish bark that sheds.

Leaf buds are oppositely arranged and 1/2” long, with overlapping burgundy bud scales. Leaf scars are V-shaped and meet in an upward curve around stem. Confused With: Oregon ash. Note bright green color of young maple twigs. General Description: Reaches heights of 50-120 ft.

The Vine leaf maple is native to eastern North America. Its closest relatives are originating from Asia Acer palmatum. The vine leaf maple often grows bushy.

Vine Maple ©T. Neuffer PNW Native Plant Winter buds New leaf growth Leaves opposite, palmate, Fall foliage Restoration and Landscape Uses: Vine Maple is used as an understory shrub or small tree. It likes moist to wet conditions and prefers riparian corridors and streams or river banks. Does best in part shade-shade and is found in open

Jan 10, 2025 · Vine maple thrives best in dappled or partial sunlight, which promotes optimum growth and maintains vibrant foliage quality. Vine maple can tolerate full sun, particularly in cooler, moister regions, but excessive direct light may lead to leaf scorch or …

Fruit: Double samaras with wings at 180 degrees to one another, each samara 1 to 2 inches long, often bright red when mature. Twig: Slender, smooth, and round; green to reddish brown but often red in the sun; buds small (1/8 inch) and opposite, terminal buds paired and dichotomous.

Ecology: Vine Maple is found in many ecotypes and provides a bounty of edibles for wildlife. The seeds, buds and flowers are nutriment for song birds, game birds, and mammals. Deer and elk forage on the leaves and bark; elk continue feeding on the buds and bark in the barren winter. The simple flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies.