Phoenix Snakebark Maple
Acer x conspicuum 'Phoenix'
Height: 20 feet
Spread: 20 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 5a
Other Names: Striped Maple
Description:
A rare hybrid with colorful striped bark, not commonly found in home landscapes; yellow-green summer bark changes to striking pink, orange, and yellow with silver lines in winter; golden foliage in fall; a fine tree with outstanding year-round interest
Ornamental Features
Phoenix Snakebark Maple has emerald green deciduous foliage on a tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. The lobed leaves turn an outstanding gold in the fall. The mottled orange bark and red branches are extremely showy and add significant winter interest.
Landscape Attributes
Phoenix Snakebark Maple is a multi-stemmed deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage.
This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned in summer after the leaves have fully developed, as it may 'bleed' sap if pruned in late winter or early spring. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Phoenix Snakebark Maple is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Planting & Growing
Phoenix Snakebark Maple will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.
This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for sandy, acidic soils. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.