Tatarian Maple

About Tatarian Maple in Alberta

Tatarian Maple is an introduced Alberta tree used mainly in urban and ornamental landscapes rather than as part of the native flora. In Alberta it functions as a hardy small tree or large shrub for yards, parks, institutional sites, and other difficult urban settings where drought tolerance and adaptability matter. It is best recognized by its mostly unlobed oval leaves, opposite branching, pale flower clusters, and red to pink-red samaras. For ARA purposes, it matters as a legitimate but not ubiquitous prairie urban tree, with its most important field comparison being Amur Maple.

Identification: Leaves are opposite, simple, and usually broadly oval to broadly ovate. Adult leaves are most often unlobed or only shallowly lobed, which is the single best field distinction from Amur Maple. Margins are finely toothed, and the leaf surface is bright green above.

Alberta range and habitat: Tatarian Maple should not be treated as part of Alberta's native wild-tree flora. No strong evidence supports a meaningful wild Alberta distribution.