Vine maple is the American equivalent of the East Asian Siebold’s maple (A. sieboldianum) and Korean maple (A. pseudosieboldianum). It resembles them both very closely and in collections it is difficult to distinguish between them. Vine maple is less hardy than its Asian relatives and grows naturally only in protected spots close to the Pacific.
Due to the lack of cold-hardiness, vine maple should be planted in Finland in the shelter of other trees or buildings, and even then it may well freeze down to the snow level, especially in severe winters. However, despite this, it usually re-sprouts in spring. In full sun the habit is erect, in shade the branches grow in attractive layers. The name results from the old belief that in the forests it grew as a vine.
The old vine maple growing on Etelärinne (Southern Slope) has suffered severe frost damage many times, dying back to the snow level, but younger plants from Holland, planted near Alppiruusulaakso (Rhododendron Valley), seem to be growing more successfully. In late autumn vine maple takes on glorious colours: yellows and oranges and reds in many shades.
