Acer Mono

The painted maple, now usually known as Acer pictum subsp. mono, is a handsome East Asian tree with a rounded crown and broad leaves cut into five to seven triangular lobes. Bronze-tinted spring growth matures to clear green before turning brilliant gold, orange and occasional crimson in autumn. Small greenish-yellow flowers are followed by paired winged samaras, and cut leaf stalks release a characteristic milky sap. Hardy and adaptable, it offers the presence of a substantial shade tree while retaining the seasonal finesse expected from a maple.