Does it need full sun?

It prefers partial shade, especially in warmer climates where the afternoon sun can scorch the leaves.

How fast does it grow?

It is a slow to moderate grower, typically adding 30 to 60 centimeters per year.

Plant guide

Striped maple.

Acer pensylvanicum

Pronounced AY-ser pen-sil-VAN-ih-kum

Also known as Goosefoot, Moosewood, Snakebark Maple, Striped Maple, goosefoot maple, moose maple

The striped maple is a lovely understory tree known for its unique bark. It brings a touch of the forest to your garden with its distinct green and white stripes. You will enjoy its vibrant yellow fall color.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Deciduous tree
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 20 to 30 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 7
Bloom time: Late spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to mimic its natural woodland home. Watch for leaf scorch if the tree gets too much intense afternoon sun. Mulch around the base to keep the roots cool and retain moisture.

Watering: Water deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in early spring before new growth starts.
Pruning: Prune during the dormant winter season to remove dead or crossing branches.
Repotting: Repot only if the tree is container grown and has become root bound.
Soil: Moist, well drained, acidic soil
Soil pH: Acidic
Temperature: -35 to 25°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 30 to 50 years.
Deer and rabbits: Low

Signs it needs repotting

Roots circling the bottom of the pot.
Water running straight through without soaking in.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: There are no reports of toxicity for this species.
Children: The tree is safe for children, though the winged seeds can be a choking hazard if ingested.
Contact allergens: The sap is generally non-irritating, but some individuals may have mild sensitivity.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can be a minor allergen for sensitive individuals during the spring.
Edibility: This tree is not typically consumed by humans and lacks culinary value.

How to identify it

Green bark with white vertical stripes
Large three lobed goose foot leaves
Yellow flowers in drooping racemes
Smooth twigs with reddish buds

Height: 5 to 10m
Spread: 4 to 8m
Leaves: green, yellow, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: green, brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Verticillium wilt · A soil-borne fungus that causes branch dieback and leaf yellowing.
Aphids · Small insects that suck sap from leaves and can cause curling.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Ensure the soil remains moist but not waterlogged before the ground freezes. A layer of mulch helps protect the shallow root system from extreme temperature fluctuations.
In containers: It is not well-suited for long-term container growth due to its size and need for cool roots.

Seed

Collect seeds in autumn when they turn brown.
Store in a cool, dry place over winter.
Sow in spring after a period of cold stratification.

Plant this maple with other shade-loving woodland perennials to mimic its natural forest floor environment.

Grows well with

Eastern Hemlock · They share similar woodland habitat requirements and provide a nice evergreen backdrop.
Wild Ginger · This low growing groundcover thrives in the same moist, shaded conditions.

Similar species

Red Maple · Another common North American maple, though it lacks the striped bark.

Science

Family: Sapindaceae
Genus: Acer
Order: Sapindales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Northeastern North America.
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered or threatened in its native range.

It grows as an understory tree in cool, moist forests, often found in rocky or mountainous terrain.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: ornamental specimen, woodland garden, winter interest

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 4/9
Temperature: 3/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: It prefers partial shade, especially in warmer climates where the afternoon sun can scorch the leaves.
How fast does it grow?: It is a slow to moderate grower, typically adding 30 to 60 centimeters per year.

Where the name comes from

The specific epithet pensylvanicum refers to the state of Pennsylvania where it was first described. The common name snakebark maple describes the distinctive white vertical stripes on the trunk.

Good to know

It is often called snakebark maple due to the unique white stripes on the bark.
The leaves are unusually large for a maple, sometimes reaching 20 centimeters across.
It thrives in cool, moist mountain forests.

Also in

Plants for shade

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.