Native to China, the Shantung Maple is a small, rounded, deciduous understory tree that typically grows 20-25’ tall with a densely-branched, rounded crown features medium green leaves with triangular lobes. Leaves emerge reddish purple in spring but mature to dark green. A growth rate of 3 feet per year.

Good fall color features attractive shades of yellow and orange, sometime with purples and reds mixed in. Leaves may be truncate at the base as suggested by the species name. Leaf stems exude a milky sap when cut. Greenish-yellow flowers appear in April-May in clusters (corymbs). As with most maples, the flowers are not showy. Fruit is a samara (to 1.5” long). Sometimes also commonly called purple