When does striped maple bloom?

Striped maple produces its yellow-green flower clusters in May and June, typically after the leaves have emerged.

What kind of light does striped maple need?

This tree grows naturally as an understory species and does best in part shade, though it can tolerate deeper shade or part sun in cooler, moist sites.

How much water does striped maple require?

Striped maple prefers medium, consistently moist soil and does not handle prolonged drought or waterlogged ground well.

Do pollinators visit striped maple flowers?

Bees visit the spring flowers of striped maple for pollen and nectar.

How large does striped maple grow?

It stays relatively small among maples, usually forming a slender understory tree rather than reaching canopy height.

Is Striped Maple toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Striped Maple as toxic to livestock.

Is Striped Maple HOA-friendly?

Striped Maple is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Striped Maple

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Acer pensylvanicum

Last reviewed: September 2026

Striped maple is a small understory tree that blooms in May and June, growing best in part shade with medium, well-drained soil moisture.

Toxicity unknown

Striped Maple (Acer pensylvanicum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Striped Maple as toxic to livestock.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

240"–360" H × 120"–180" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

CT, GA, KY, MA and 17 more states

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Piedmont Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Northern Forests Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands

Striped maple is a small native understory tree known for its distinctive green bark with white vertical stripes. It produces small yellow-green flowers in late spring and develops attractive yellow fall color, making it an excellent choice for shaded woodland gardens.

Growing Striped Maple

Grow Striped Maple in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 240 to 360 inches tall and spread 120 to 180 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Striped Maple is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, mid zone.

May grow slowly and appear sparse when young

Wildlife value

Host plant for Luna moth, Rosy maple moth.

The flowers attract bees and other pollinators in May and June. The seeds and foliage provide food for various birds and small mammals.

Common questions

When does striped maple bloom?: Striped maple produces its yellow-green flower clusters in May and June, typically after the leaves have emerged.
What kind of light does striped maple need?: This tree grows naturally as an understory species and does best in part shade, though it can tolerate deeper shade or part sun in cooler, moist sites.
How much water does striped maple require?: Striped maple prefers medium, consistently moist soil and does not handle prolonged drought or waterlogged ground well.
Do pollinators visit striped maple flowers?: Bees visit the spring flowers of striped maple for pollen and nectar.
How large does striped maple grow?: It stays relatively small among maples, usually forming a slender understory tree rather than reaching canopy height.
Is Striped Maple toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Striped Maple as toxic to livestock.
Is Striped Maple HOA-friendly?: Striped Maple is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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