What soil does Tatar maple grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, calcareous.

Is Tatar maple hardy?

Hardy down to -40 °C (USDA zone 3, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Tatar maple be planted?

Plant it at least 2 m from buildings. Keep it at least 1.5 m from paving.

When does Tatar maple flower?

Flowering: April–June, white, green.

How much water does Tatar maple need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: high.

Tatar maple

Acer tataricum

Tatar maple (Acer tataricum) is a small tree. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -40 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Sold in local shops from about €14.

Illustration of Tatar maple — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A tough native small tree or large multi-stemmed shrub with a rounded crown and unlobed, toothed leaves that fits into small gardens too. Pollinators visit its greenish white flowers in late spring, red-winged fruits decorate it in summer, and the leaves turn yellow and red in autumn. It grows in sun or part shade, on limy and heavy soils, and takes drought and city air well; just avoid waterlogged and very acid ground, and expect to pull up some seedlings because it fruits heavily. The East Asian Amur maple (Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala, often sold as Acer ginnala) is a separate garden plant with more deeply lobed leaves and brighter autumn colour.

Watch out for

No serious pest or disease is known in Central Europe; the leaf miners, gall mites and gall midges living on its leaves cause only cosmetic damage. As on maples in general, verticillium wilt, leaf spots, tar spot, aphids and scale can occur, and the caterpillars of wood-boring moths may tunnel in the trunk. It sets a lot of seed, so seedlings can appear in nearby beds.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 3.5 m × 2.5 m
Hardiness: down to -40 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–June, white, green

Group	Small tree
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	3.5 m × 2.5 m
Ultimate size	4.5–9 m × 4.5–8 m
Hardiness	down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–June, white, green
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	at least 2 m
Distance from paving	at least 1.5 m
Litter	Fruit
Planting distance	400 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	no data
Typical price	from about €14

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €14

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Drought-tolerant plants Plants for screening Small ornamental trees Small trees for beside paths and paving Plants with autumn colour

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