Trautvetter's Maple Acer trautvetteri

Water

The Caucasian Maple should be watered deeply and regularly during its first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Once established, reduce frequency, but continue providing regular waterings during dry spells. Watering with 1 to 1.5 inches of water once a week is generally sufficient, but this may need to be adjusted depending on climate and soil conditions. Overhead watering or using a drip irrigation system can ensure even moisture distribution. Avoid overwatering which can lead to root rot; the soil should be allowed to dry out slightly between watering.

Light

The Caucasian Maple thrives in full sun to partial shade. It's adaptable to various light conditions, but for best growth and health, choose a location where the tree will receive sunlight for at least part of the day, ideally in the morning. Avoid deep shade conditions as this can lead to poor leaf color and weak growth.

Temperature

The Caucasian Maple prefers temperate climates and can tolerate a range of temperature conditions. It can survive winter lows down to about -20 degrees Fahrenheit, but the ideal growing temperature range is between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the growing season. Extreme heat can stress the plant, so in regions with hot summers, some afternoon shade can be beneficial.

Pruning

Prune the Caucasian Maple to maintain its health and desired shape, typically during the dormant season. Pruning in late winter or early spring before new growth starts is ideal. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches, and thin out the canopy as needed to allow light and air to penetrate, which helps prevent disease. Annual pruning can encourage more vigorous growth.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

For the Red Maple (Acer trautvetteri), the best soil mix is one that is well-draining yet moisture-retentive; a mixture of loamy soil, peat, and coarse sand or perlite is ideal. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 5.5 to 7.5 for optimal growth.

Repotting

Red Maples (Acer trautvetteri) should be repotted every two to three years to ensure they have sufficient space for root growth and access to nutrients. Younger trees may require more frequent repotting, while mature trees can be repotted less often.

Humidity & Misting

Red Maples (Acer trautvetteri) prefer moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 40% to 75%. Maintaining sufficient humidity is important for their wellbeing, particularly if the plant is grown indoors.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Red Maple in bright, indirect light; keep soil evenly moist.

• Outdoor

  Plant in well-drained soil, partial to full sun, protect from strong winds.

• Hardiness zone

  5-7 USDA

Life cycle

Acer trautvetteri, known as the Caucasian maple, begins its life cycle with seed germination, typically occurring in spring when soil temperatures rise. The germinated seedlings grow into juvenile plants, developing a basic root system and beginning to photosynthesize with their first leaves. As the saplings mature, they undergo a period of vegetative growth, increasing in height and girth, and developing the characteristic palmate leaves of maples. The tree reaches sexual maturity after several years and starts to flower, producing inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers that are wind-pollinated. Following pollination, the flowers develop into samaras, the winged fruit characteristic of maples, which are then dispersed by wind. The Caucasian maple completes its life cycle when these seeds land in a suitable location, germinate, and grow into new trees, continuing the cycle.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Propogation: Acer trautvetteri, commonly known as the Trautvetter's Maple, is best propagated by seed. The optimal time for sowing the seeds of Trautvetter's Maple is in the fall, immediately after collection. When propagating by seed, it is important to mimic the natural cold stratification process by subjecting the seeds to a period of cold temperatures before they will germinate. This can be achieved by mixing the seeds with moist sand and storing them in a refrigerator at about 34 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit (1 to 5 degrees Celsius) for approximately 90 to 120 days. After stratification, the seeds can be sown in well-drained soil in a nursery bed or pots. They typically germinate in the spring following the stratification period, and once the seedlings have grown to a sufficient size, they can be transplanted to their permanent location.