This maple has very unusual leaves that look like a hornbeam. Hence the name "Hornbeam Maple". Small tree with rich green leaves that turn to yellow in the fall.
Probably reflects limited availability of suitable pollen in cultivation, rather than a characteristic of the species.
Carpinifolium is dioecious, Which means the sexes are seperate. A male plant must be nearby to pollinate a female plant. If the seeds (from a female flower) do not firm up (they are "empty") and become viable it is because the flowers were not pollinated. To help faciltate pollination, a male branch can be grafted onto a female plant to help produce viable seeds. Or... you can hand pollinate...by dusting the female flower with a male flower.
Acer carpinifolium - private collection. Late May and mid-October; the brown leaves do indeed remain on the tree through the winter and until the new leaves emerge.
Acer carpinifolium - Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle, accessions 1953 and 1992. Native to mountain forests of Japan and reported to be hardy to USDA Z4.
Acer carpinifolium - UWBG Arboretum, accessions 1953 and 1999. Interestingly, the 1953 specimen was fully leafed out and with fruit in mid-April, while the young 1999 specimen did not leaf out until May (fourth photo May 11), although both are in sun.
Whatsup Ernie . I think we meet in Louisville at Yewdell . I was the other person below the age of 35 . ha ha . I love carpinifolium , but can be dang hard to convince somebody they need it . You got to want it . ahhhhh....'Esveld Select' ( insert drool ) There are at least 3 floating around this state .
Young example that had some damage in shipping, leaving it somewhat lop-sided but luckily that hasn't inhibited it from putting out lots of leaves this year!
