Flame Amur Maple Tree

Flame Amur maple (*Acer tataricum* subsp. *ginnala* 'Flame'; also sold as *Acer ginnala* 'Flame') is a deciduous large shrub or small tree grown for red-orange autumn foliage and colorful winged samaras. Kew accepts *A. tataricum* subsp. *ginnala* as the Amur maple taxon. ## Landscape Use The plant can be grown as a multi-stemmed shrub or trained to a single trunk, with a rounded to open crown. A wholesale profile for Flame gives about 20 ft tall by 20–30 ft wide, while Cornell lists related Amur maples at 15–18 ft with equal spread; allow room for the broader crown ([Acorn Farms](https://www.acornfarms.com/responsive/velocity/15AFcategoriesgenusname2TREESSHRUBS.php?pullname=ACER+GINNALA+FLAME); [Cornell](https://woodyplants.cals.cornell.edu/plant/364)). Use it as a small specimen or seasonal screen where a modest tree is appropriate. ## Seasonal Interest Green foliage turns red to orange in fall, and paired winged fruits add color in late summer. Small creamy-white flowers appear in spring. A specialist account cautions that some material sold as 'Flame' may be a seed-raised batch rather than a single uniform clone, with variation in form and autumn performance; treat the name as a selection with some variability. ## Siting and Soil Full sun to light shade suits the species. Choose well-drained soil; Amur maple tolerates a range of soil types and can cope with dry conditions. Extension references place it in USDA zones 3–8, while some sellers list Flame for zone 2, so check local winter exposure. The [Cornell Woody Plants Database](https://woodyplants.cals.cornell.edu/plant/364) lists Flame among the cultivars and describes the subspecies' size and care. [Kew recognizes the subspecies](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77249729-1), while [North Carolina State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/acer-tataricum-subsp-ginnala/common-name/amur-maple/) notes that Amur maple is invasive in some Midwestern and Northeastern areas. ## Maintenance Minimal pruning is needed for a natural shrub form; remove damaged branches or shape selectively if a single-trunk tree is desired. Check for seedlings where the species is known to naturalize, and manage volunteers before they spread.