VINE MAPLE
acer cirinatum

• the gnarled and crooked appearance of the tree probably lends itself to the word 'vine' in its common name
• 'acer' is the Latin word for a maple tree

UNIQUE FEATURES:

• appears as a small tree or shrub and can grow into a dense thicket
• crooked, short trunk that can sometimes grow almost horizontally and may root where it touches the ground
• twisted, spreading limbs
• crown is low and irregularly shaped
• one of the first trees to establish after a landslide

LOCATION:

• southwestern British Columbia
• low to mid elevations
• wet sites, along river and stream banks
• nitrogen rich soils
• shade or open areas

SIZE:

• up to 20 metres in height

FRUIT:

• 2 to 4 cm long winged seeds
• are joined in pairs but spread straight out unlike most maples which join in a 'V' shape

FLOWERS:

• small, reddish or purple
• often just one fruit will appear on each

LEAVES:

• have 7 to 9 lobes
• almost circular, 6 to 11 cm in diameter
• toothed
• when mature bright yellowish green on top with a pale green and downy underside
• when young reddish and hairy
• turn red and gold in the fall

BARK:

• thin, smooth, may have shallow cracks at the base of the tree when older
• greenish when young, turning reddish-brown or gray with age

WOOD CHARACTERISTICS:

• hard, flexible

USES:

• modern - ornamental because of its spectacular fall colours
• traditional - bow, frames for fishing nets, snowshoes, cradle frames, firewood, cooking tools; bark: boiled to make a tea for colds; branches: cradle swings