Alternate name: White-bark Maple

Family: Aceraceae, Maple view all from this family

Description A small tree typically developing a round form with slender branches, often multiple trunks. Bark thin, chalky white, becoming ridged and blackish at the base with age. Leaves have 5 or 3 long-pointed lobes with wavy or coarsely toothed edges, 5-9 cm. long and broad, often drooping at the tip. Fruit is a paired brown samara, 2-2.5 cm long, maturing in autumn.

Dimensions Height: 8-9 m.
Diameter: .3 m.

Habitat Watersides (fresh).

Range Texas, Plains, Southeast, Florida.

Discussion Brilliant fall foliage is the significant feature of this tree. Leaves smaller than northern sugar maple, but the colors are just as bright. Highly shade- and drought-tolerant.

Comments Chalk maple displays good dry-soil tolerance, although it needs moisture if grown in brighter sites.

Exposure Preference Partial sun.

Native Distribution North Carolina to n. Florida, w. to e. Oklahoma & Texas

Site Preference Rocky woods; river bluffs; ravines

Soil Preference Well-drained, rocky soils.